The [3+2] cycloaddition of phenyliodonium bis(arylsulfonyl)methylides to a,b-enones affords exclusively trans,transconfigured 1-(arylsulfonyl)-2-aroyl-3-arylindanes. The initial electrophilic attack of the iodonium ylide on the alkenyl double bond of the chalcone, followed by cyclization of the dipolar species, and subsequent ejection of iodobenzene and sulfur dioxide, stereoselectively affords the indane cycloadduct.Phenyliodonium bis(arylsulfonyl)methylides 1 1 constitute a class of compounds with unique properties among the iodonium ylides (Scheme 1). Under photochemical or Cu(acac) 2 -catalyzed thermal activation, an iodonium bis(sulfonyl)methylide reacts with simple alkenes to give the corresponding cyclopropanes, 1 and with various heteroatom nucleophiles to provide new ylides, 1,2 presumably through a carbene (or carbenoid) pathway. At room temperature, however, an unusual [3+2] cycloaddition occurs, in which a 1,2,3-trisubstituted indane is produced. For example, various acyclic 1,2-disubstituted alkenes, either Z-or E-configured, lead to the trans,trans-indane cycloadducts, 3 whereas cyclic alkenes yield the cis,cisstereoisomers 4 (Scheme 1). This reactivity is explained by postulating an initial electrophilic attack of the ylide on to the alkenyl double bond, followed by cyclization to the [3+2] cycloadduct. This perplexing chemical behavior poses the mechanistic question, whether an iodonium bis(sulfonyl)methylide reacts initially as a nucleophile in view of its stabilized carbanionic center, as an electrophile through its positively charged iodonium center, and/or as a carbene (or carbenoid) precursor by cleavage of iodobenzene. The incentive of the present study was to distinguish between these mechanistic options by examining the reaction of the iodonium bis(sulfonyl)methylides with a,b-enones.In a,b-enones, which are widely distributed in nature, the carbonyl group decreases the electron density of the olefinic double bond. Thus, while the carbonyl and the b-ethylenic carbon atoms are activated toward nucleophilic attack, the alkenyl double bond should be less susceptible to electrophilic attack. Nevertheless, it is well known that a,b-enones react with a variety of stable ylides to yield cyclopropanes; 5 adducts are formed as well with rather mild electrophiles 6 and diazo compounds. 7 If the iodonium ylide should react initially as a nucleophile, then attack at the b-ethylenic carbon atom of the a,b-enone would produce an enolate, which on subsequent intramolecular ring closure with ejection of iodobenzene should afford a cyclopropane product. Such a reaction type is known as a Michael-induced ring closure, 5 observed in the reaction of a,b-enones with sulfur and phosphorus ylides. The same cyclopropane cycloadduct would also result if the iodonium bis(sulfonyl)methylide should serve as a carbene (or carbenoid) source. In contrast, if the iodonium bis(sulfonyl)methylide should react initially as an electrophile by attacking the a-ethylenic carbon atom of the a,b-enone, indane derivatives should b...