Groningen researchers have found an easier way to make alkenes where the functional groups are on the same side, according to a paper in Science Advances.

Alkene compounds (C=C) are found in biologically active substances and are at the basis of many chemical reactions. When making functional alkenes, you can theoretically make them in two flavours: either the functional groups on both sides of the alkene are on the same side (\C=C/), or on the opposite side (/C=C/). The first variant is called a Z-alkene – from the German zusammen (together) – and the second an E-alkene, from the German entgegen (opposite). E-alkenes are thermodynamically more stable and easier to make, but sometimes you’d prefer the Z variant. Syuzanna Harutyunyan’s group from the University of Groningen has found a way to selectively synthesise this Z variant.