An Efficient Microwave-Promoted Route to (Z)-Stilbenes from trans-Cinnamic Acids: Synthesis of Combretastatin A-4 and Analogues.

<italic>cis</italic>-Stilbenes were synthesized from <italic>trans</italic>-cinnamic acids, involving ethylenic-bond bromination and a subsequent one-pot microwave-promoted stereoselective debrominative decarboxylation-Suzuki cross-coupling strategy. This sequence represents a useful way to prepare a variety of combretastatin A-4 derivatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]