A preparative procedure for the synthesis of thietanes bearing alkyl substituents in the beta-position was developed. Using this procedure, 3-substituted thietanes can be obtained in four steps with an ultimate yield of > 50%. 3-R-thietanes (where R = CH3, C4H9, C5H11, C6H13, C6H5) and the corresponding sulfoxides and sulfones were synthesized and examined. The feasibility of preparation of gem-3,3-substituted thietanes was exemplified by the synthesis of 3,3-dihexylthietane.