A convenient method for the preparation of 2, 5-dihydrofurans by using the chemistry of alkynyl (phenyl) iodonium salts is reported. Treatment of 3-alkoxy-1-alkynyl (phenyl) iodonium triflates with sodium benzenesulfinate generates an alkylidenecarbene, which undergoes [1, 5]-CH insertion to form 2-substituted 4-benzenesulfonyl-2, 5-dihydrofurans in reasonable yield. These cyclic vinyl sulfones are functionalized in such a way as to make ...