Alkynylselenonium salts 2 and 5 were synthesized and treated with benz
enesulfinic acid or its sodium salt in an alcohol. The reactions with
sodium benzenesulfinate gave (Z)-beta-alkoxyvinylsulfones 6 as main pr
oducts, while the reactions with benzenesulfinic acid afforded the bet
a-sulfonylvinylselenonium salts 11 and 12 in good yields. (C) 1997 Els
evier Science Ltd.