Abstract: The compounds of the formula ##SPC1##In which R is lower alkyl, lower alkoxy or halo, x is an integer from 0 to 2, n is an integer from 0 to 3, Y is halo and R.sub.1 and R.sub.2 independently are hydrogen, lower alkyl, phenyl or substituted phenyl, or, together with the nitrogen atom, form a heterocyclic ring also containing up to one oxygen atom in the heterocycle. The compounds in which x is 0 are prepared by adding chlorine or bromine to a 1-arylthiomethanesulfonamide in the presence of pyridine to form the 1-arylthio-1, 1-dihalomethanesulfonamide. The compounds in which x is 1 or 2 is prepared by adding sodium hypochlorite or sodium hypobromite to a 1-(arylsulfinyl)methane-sulfonamide or a 1-(arylsulfonyl)methanesulfonamide to form the 1-(arylsulfinyl)-1,1-dihalomethanesulfonamide or 1-(arylsulfonyl)-1,1-dihalomethanesulfonamide, respectively. The compounds are useful as antimicrobial agents.