Abstract: Catalysts derived from dihalobis (trialkylphosphine) nickel (II) complexes and diisobutylaluminum chloride accomplish two types of skeletal isomerization of 1, 4-dienes in toluene at 25'. The type I rearrangement generates the isoprenoid carbon skeleton and is exemplified by the conversion of 1, 4-pentadiene to 2-methyl-], 3-butadiene. The type I1 rearrangement is exemplified by the 3-methyl-1,. l-pentadiene to l,% hexadiene ...
