(Z)-Stilbene is a diarylethene, that is, a hydrocarbon consisting of a cis ethene double bond substituted with a phenyl group on both carbon atoms of the double bond. The name stilbene was derived from the Greek word stilbos, which means shining.
Isomers
Stilbene exists as two possible isomers known as (E)-stilbene and (Z)-stilbene. (Z)-Stilbene is sterically hindered and less stable because the steric interactions force the aromatic rings 43° out-of-plane and prevent conjugation.[2] (Z)-Stilbene has a melting point of 5–6 °C (41–43 °F), while (E)-stilbene melts around 125 °C (257 °F), illustrating that the two compounds are quite different.
In strong (protic) acid, cis-stilbene oligomerizes to a phenylmethylene chain capped by diphenylindane groups. The analogous trans compound doees not so react.[3]