1-Haloethynyl-2-methylcyclopentanols treated with iodine and HTIB ring expand stereoselectively depending on the relative position of the methyl and the hydroxyl groups. The products are 2-(dihalomethylidene)-3-methylcyclohexanones if the methyls are cis to the hydroxyl groups or 2-(dihalomethylidene)-6-methylcyclohexanones if the methyls are trans to the hydroxyls. Copyright (C) 1996 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd