Catalytic methods for the synthesis of stilbenes with an emphasis on their phytoalexins

This review aims at summarizing the recent significant advances in catalytic methods available for the synthesis of stilbene and functionalized stilbenes with an emphasis on their phytoalexins. Most strategies developed so far involve palladium-mediated coupling reactions. Among them, the Heck and Suzuki reactions stand out for their synthetic versatility and efficiency, but the Stille and Negishi reactions have also found useful applications. Palladium also served as a catalyst to convert Z-stilbenes into the corresponding E-isomers. Other transition metal promoted stilbene syntheses include the McMurry coupling of aldehydes and ketones and alkene cross metathesis. Because non transition metal catalyzed syntheses of hydroxystilbenes continue to attract a lot of attention, significant recent developments in this area are also reported. (C) 2004 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.