HMPA-Mediated conjugate addition of alkyl- and phenylthioallyl anions to cyclopentenone

One equivalent of HMPA induces 1,4-addition of the title anions predominantly through the $\text{α}$-position to cyclopentenone in THF at ?78°. In THF alone irreversible addition takes place to give mixtures comprising largely $\text{α}$ and $\text{γ}$-1,2 products.