Building block synthesis of predominantly (E) symmetrical and unsymmetrical 1,2-difluorostilbenes from 1,2-dibromo-1,2-difluoroethene

An efficient synthesis of predominantly (E) symmetrical or unsymmetrical 1,2-difluorostilbenes based on the Suzuki–Miyaura palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of arylboronic acids with predominantly (E)-1,2-dibromo-1,2-difluoroethene in the presence of Cs2CO3 in toluene is described. The reaction preserved the stereochemistry of the building block and performed in good yield independently of the electron-withdrawing or electron-donating character of the substituents.