A general method for constructing both β-keto sulfones and β-dicarbonyl sulfones has been developed. β-Dicarbonyl sulfones were formed by iodine mediated α-sulfonylation of β-dicarbonyl compounds, and β-keto sulfones were prepared from β-dicarbonyl compounds by iodine mediated sulfonylation and sodium sulfinate mediated C–C bond cleavage in a one-pot procedure.