A new stereoselective method is presented for synthesizing (El-,(E a-, and (E, E)-conjugated dienes via alkylation of 3-sulfolenes as the key step. Direct alkylation of 3-sulfolene at the 2- position proceeds with good yields when labile sulfolene a-carbanion is generated in the presence of alkyl iodides in THF-HMPA solution at-78" C. Alkylation of 2-alkyl-3-sulfolenes gives trans-2, 5-dialkyl-3-sulfolenes with 100% regioselectivity and more than 90% ...