Stereoselective synthesis of vinyl-substituted (Z)-stilbenes by rhodium-catalysed addition of arylboronic acids to allenic alcohols.

Vinyl-substituted (Z)-stilbenes are stereoselectively synthesised on treatment of 4-arylbuta-2,3-dien-1-ols with arylboronic acids in the presence of a rhodium(i) catalyst. The reaction proceeds through the regioselective addition of organorhodium(i) species across the aryl-substituted carbon-carbon double bond of the allene moiety and subsequent delta-elimination of Rh(i)-OH.