Reversible carbon-carbon bond formation between 1,3-dienes and aldehyde or ketone on nickel(0).

The reversible oxidative cyclization of dienes and aldehydes with nickel(0) proceeded to give eta(3):eta(1)-allylalkoxynickel complexes. The treatment of these complexes with carbon monoxide led to the formation of the corresponding lactone and/or the regeneration of a butadiene and an aldehyde concomitant with the formation of Ni(CO)(3)(PCy(3)). The scission of the nickel-oxygen bond of the allylalkoxy complexes with ZnMe(2) leading to eta(3)-allyl(methyl)nickel was very efficient to suppress the reverse reaction of the oxidative cyclization.