Synthesis of E isomer and crystal structures of E and Z isomers of 3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile

Details of the synthesis of the E isomer of 3-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-methoxyphenyl)acrylonitrile, and the X-ray crystal structures of both the E and Z isomers of this compound are presented. The E isomer crystallizes in the P2(1)/c space group with cell parameters, a = 8.5659(17) angstrom, b = 16.399(3) angstrom, c = 11.224(2) angstrom, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 95.27(3)degrees, gamma = 90 degrees and Z = 4. The Z isomer crystallizes in the Pca2(1) space group with cell parameters, a = 4.1223(8) angstrom, b = 19.113(4) angstrom, c = 19.453(4) angstrom, alpha = 90 degrees, beta = 90 degrees, gamma = 90 degrees and Z = 4.