While the bis-alkylation of the dilithio derivative of allyl phenyl sulfone with cis-1,4-dichloro-2-butene produces the cyclopentene product, the similar reaction with the trans-dihalide affords the divinylcyclopropane product which rearranges smoothly, upon refluxing in xylenes, into the 1,4-cycloheptadiene system in 65% overall yield from allyl phenyl sulfone.