Abstract In reaction of β-nitrostyrene and 2-(2-nitrovinyl) furan with arenediazonium chlorides and SO2 in the presence of copper (II) chloride products were obtained resulting from addition of arylsulfonyl group and a hydrogen atom across the C= C bond: 2-nitro-1- phenylethylsulfonylarenes and 2-(1-arylsulfonyl-2-nitroethyl) furans respectively. An anion- radical mechanism of the reaction was suggested.