Nickel-catalyzed indium(I)-mediated double addition of aldehydes to 1,3-dienes.

In the presence of InI, Ni(acac)2 and PPh3, several 1,3-dienes were reacted with two molecules of aldehyde to give the corresponding 1,4- and 1,6-diols. The regioselectivity of the 1,4-/1,6-diol was efficiently regulated by the addition of water; the 1,6-diol was obtained selectively in dry THF, whereas the 1,4-diol was obtained predominantly in DMI containing a small amount of water.