The Pummerer reaction, in which thionium ions are re generated and react with nucleophiles, has evolved into a valuable tool for synthesis. We have developed a connective route to thionium ions that has several advantages over the traditional route from sulfoxides. The process utilises widely-available thiol and aldehyde starting materials, negating the need to prepare sulfoxide or sulfide starting materials (activated sulfides are essentially prepared in situ). In addition, the properties or structural features of the thiol and aldehyde substituents are united in a single synthetic operation, with concomitant addition of a nucleophile.