[joinn46]

Hello,

"By clicking on this diagram two additional examples of thermal [1,5] hydrogen shifts will be displayed. These reactions are particularly informative in that [1,3] hydrogen shifts are not observed. The reactant in the first equation is a deuterium labeled 1,3,5-cyclooctatriene. On heating, this compound equilibrates with its 1,3,6-triene isomer, and the two deuterium atoms are scrambled among the four locations noted. If [1,3] or [1,7] hydrogen shifts were taking place, the deuterium atoms would be distributed equally among all eight carbon atoms. On prolonged heating, or at higher temperatures these cyclooctatrienes undergo electrocyclic ring opening to 1,3,5,7-octatetraene and reclosure to vinyl-1,3-cyclohexadienes.
The second example shows another [1,5] hydrogen shift, from the proximal methyl group to the carbonyl oxygen atom. The resulting dienol rapidly exchanges OH for OD before the [1,5] shift reverses. In this manner the reactive methyl is soon converted to CD3. Since hydrogens alpha to a carbonyl group are known to undergo acid or base catalyzed exchange by way of enol intermediates, we might expect the α'-CH2 group to exchange as well. However, if care is taken to remove potential acid or base catalysts, the thermal [1,3] shift necessary for the exchange is found to be very slow."

(source: https://www2.chemistry.msu.edu/faculty/reusch/virttxtjml/pericycl.htm )

I don't understand why the [1.5] hydrogen shift is preferred by reactions with cyclooctatetraene.