The conversion of dithianylium cations into α-azo ketene dithioacetals via addition of polymer-bound diazonium precursors is shown. This new procedure allows the synthesis of α-azo ketene dithioacetals in one step within 2-90 min at rt and yields highly pure compounds that do not have to be purified in most cases. The α-azo ketene dithioacetals obtained have been shown to be valuable intermediates for the synthesis of hydrazones, α-halogenated α-azo ketene dithioacetals, and azo-functionalized dienes.