Z:E Selective Preparation of Disubstituted Internal Alkenes and Trisubstituted Alkenes

Olefin is one of the most important bulk chemicals in industry as well as commonly used starting materials in pharmaceutical field. Since Z-olefins and E-olefins exhibit great differences in physicochemical properties and biological activities, the Z:E configuration control has been playing important roles in olefin preparation. The selective synthetic methods of Z:E configurations of disubstituted inner alkenes and trisubstituted alkenes are reviewed, including the Wittig reaction, substituted alkane elimination reaction, olefin isomerization reaction, olefin metathesis, olefin coupling reaction, and alkyne addition reaction. The catalyst types and controlling factors of Z:E selectivity in these synthetic examples are described in detail.