The Cope rearrangement is classified as a [3,3] sigmatropic shift in 1,5-dienes, leading to a more stable, isomeric 1,5-diene. The reaction involves a concerted movement of six electrons, four from two π bonds and two from a σ bond, via an energetically favorable chair-like transition state.

From a molecular orbital perspective, the rearrangement can be viewed as the interaction between the ground state frontier orbitals of the allyl anion and cation. Under thermal conditions, the two π components overlap via a symmetry-allowed suprafacial pathway.