C5H5(CO)2Re(cis-CH3CH = CHCH3) (1) isomerized to a 45:55 equilibrium mixture of 1 and C5H5-(CO)2Re(trans-CH3CH = CHCH3) (2) upon treatment with CF3CO2H in CH2Cl2. In the isomerization of 1 by CF3CO2D, the initially formed 2 was monodeuterated at the vinyl position. Treatment of C5H5(CO)2Re(CH2 = CHCH2CH3) (3) with CF3CO2D led only to deuterium exchange of the vinyl hydrogens; no formation of 1 or 2 was observed. These data are consistent with a mechanism involving agostic rhenium alkyl complexes that undergo "in-place rotation" and deprotonation much more rapidly than formation of a free alkylrhenium intermediate.