Cis-trans isomerization of organic molecules and biomolecules: implications and applications.

Organic molecules as well as metal complexes may exist as several geometric isomers1 which display distinct physical properties and chemical reactivities. A molecule containing two atoms (in general, two carbons) attached together by a double bond with substituents W-Z may be found as two isomeric † C.D. dedicates this review to Professor Andrée Marquet as a mark of his admiration and gratitude. * To whom correspondence should be addressed: Tel: (33) 169 08 52 25. Fax: (33) 169 08 90 71. E-mail: christophe.dugave@cea.fr. ‡ Present address: Département de Chimie, Institut de Pharmacologie, Université de Sherbrooke, 3001, 12e Avenue nord, Sherbrooke, Québec, J1H 5N4 Canada. 2475 Chem. Rev. 2003, 103, 2475−2532