A process for preparing a sucralose-6-ester, a key intermediate to sucralose. The process contains (a) creating a heterogeneous mixture comprising a first phase comprising a sucrose-6-ester and a second phase comprising a chlorinating reagent; and (b) reacting the sucrose-6-ester with the chlorinating reagent, to prepare a sucralose-6-ester. In addition, processes for preparing sucralose are provided.