Oxidative Evolution of Z/E-Diaminotetraphenylethylene

We report that Z/E-diaminotetraphenylethylene (Z/E-2NH2-TPE) molecules suffer primarily from oxidative evolution rather than recognized isomerization. The oxide is separated and its structure is deciphered by single crystal X-ray diffraction. The oxidative evolution accompanying the rearrangement is explained through quantum theoretical calculation.