[2][3] 1,5-Cyclooctadiene can be prepared by dimerization of butadiene in the presence of a nickel catalyst, a coproduct being vinylcyclohexene.

[4][5] COD reacts with borane to give 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane,[6] commonly known as 9-BBN, a reagent in organic chemistry used in hydroborations: COD adds SCl2 (or similar reagents) to give 2,6-dichloro-9-thiabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane:[7][8] The resulting dichloride can be further modified as the diazide or dicyano derivative in a nucleophilic substitution aided by anchimeric assistance.

COD is used as an intermediate in one of the syntheses of disparlure, a gypsy moth pheromone.

Other low-valent metal complexes of COD include cyclooctadiene rhodium chloride dimer, cyclooctadiene iridium chloride dimer, and Fe(COD)(CO)3, and Crabtree's catalyst.

[12] Another synthesis (double elimination reaction from a cyclooctane ring) was reported by Rolf Huisgen in 1987.