Synthesis of Z-alkenes via visible light promoted photocatalytic E → Z isomerization under metal-free conditions

Abstract

A green approach for the synthesis of thermodynamically less stable Z-alkenes has been presented through the exploration of visible light promoted photocatalytic E-to-Z isomerization. This protocol features metal-free conditions, which is operationally simple, remarkably clean, and allows the synthesis of both electron-rich and electron-deficient Z-alkenes with diverse functional groups.