The insertion of SO2 into the W-R bond of q5-C5H5W(C0)3R (R = CH3, la; R = CH2C6H5, lb) in liquid SO2 is markedly promoted by the Lewis acids BF3 and SbF5. Thus, at -26 OC the reaction of l a with S02-BF3 appears to be at least 20 000 times faster than the reaction of l a with SO2 alone. The promoted reaction proceeds to the corresponding Lewis acid stabilized 0-sulfinato complexes, q5-C5H5W(CO)3[OS(OBF3 or OSbF5)RI (BF3: R = CH3, 3a; R = CH2CsH5, 3b. SbF5: R = CH3,4a; R = CHf&H5,4b), which were isolated and characterized by a combination of elemental analysis and infrared and IH NMR spectroscopy; by contrast, the insertion of SO2 alone continues to the S-sulfinato complexes, q5-C~H5W-(CO)3S(O)*R (R = CH3, 2a; R = CH2CsH5, 2b). Treatment of 3a with "3, CsH5NH2, or other Lewis bases affords 2a in good yield, whereas storage of 3a in benzene--pentane furnishes some isomeric q5-C5H5W(CO)3[S(0)(OBF3)CH3] (5a). Complex 5a also results upon treatment of 2a with BF3 in toluene at 25 OC or in SO2 at -16 "C; this reaction may be reversed by the application of vacuum. Other similar 1:l adducts of 2a or 2b and BF3 or SbF5 (or FSSbOSO) were prepared by direct reaction of the appropriate components in SO2 solution. The promotion of the reaction of the tungsten-alkyl complexes with SO2 by BF3 or SbFS is thought to derive from a stronger electrophilic character of the Lewis acid802 adduct than of the SO2 alone. Mechanistic aspects of the promoted and unpromoted insertion of SO2 are discussed, and possible extensions of this approach to other reactions at transition metal-carbon u bonds are considered.