Selective Synthesis of Z-Cinnamyl Ethers and Cinnamyl Alcohols via Visible Light Promoted Photocatalytic E to Z Isomerization.

A photocatalytic E to Z isomerization of alkenes using an iridium photosensitizer under mild reaction conditions is disclosed. This method provides scalable and efficient access to Z-cinnamyl ether and allylic alcohol derivatives in high yields with excellent stereoselectivity. Importantly, this method also provides a powerful strategy for the selective synthesis of Z-magnolol and honokiol derivatives possessing potential biological activity.