Room-Temperature and Transition-Metal-Free Mizoroki–Heck-type Reaction. Synthesis of E‑Stilbenes by Photoinduced C–H Functionalization

We report a conceptually different approach toward E-stilbene syntheses by photoinduced direct C–H arylation of alkenes at rt without the addition of transition metals, with a broad range of aryl halides, including ArI, ArBr, and even ArCl. This is the first time that this reaction has been produced without extra solvent but with 18-crown-6 ether and t-BuOK in only 15 min of reaction.