Synthesis, separation and X-ray crystal structures of E and Z isomers of 3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylic acid are reported. Separation of E and Z isomers from a 1:1 mixture has been carried out by selective acidification of their sodium salts carefully controlling the pH of the solution. The structures of E and Z isomers were confirmed by determining crystal structures of these isomers using single crystal X-ray diffraction. The E isomer crystallizes in the P2 /c space group with a = 11.493(2) Å, b = 5.5456(11) Å, c = 24.900(5) Å, α = 90°, β = 92.36(3)°, γ = 90°, Z = 4. The Z isomer crystallizes in the P2 /c space group with a = 10.192(2) Å, b = 12.893(3) Å, c = 13.948(3) Å, α = 90°, β = 92.18(3)°, γ = 90°, Z = 4. Details of the synthesis and structural characterization and X-ray crystal structure determination of the title compounds are presented. © 2007 Springer Science+Business Media, LLC. 1 1
