Nickel-catalyzed cyclization of α,ω-dienes: formation vs. cleavage of C–C bonds

Abstract

A combination of a catalytic amount of a Ni–phosphine complex and triethylaluminium or chlorodiethylaluminium is able to selectively cyclize a number of 1,7-heptadienes to methylidene(methyl)cyclopentanes and cyclopentenes even in cases where the dienes are prone to deallylation.