Stereoselective synthesis of vinyl-substituted (Z)-stilbenes by rhodium-catalysed addition of arylboronic acids to allenic alcoholsElectronic supplementary information (ESI) available: General experimental information and spectral data. See DOI: 10.1039/c0ob00163e

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 δ-elimination of Rh( i )-OH. The reaction of 4-arylbuta-2,3-dien-1-ols with arylboronic acids in the presence of a rhodium( i ) catalyst gave vinylsubstituted ( Z )-stilbenes stereoselectively.