(E)-Stilbene, commonly known as trans-stilbene, is an organic compound represented by the condensed structural formula CHCH=CHCH.  Classified as a diarylethene, it features a central ethylene moiety with one phenyl group substituent on each end of the carbon&ndash;carbon double bond. It has an (E) stereochemistry, meaning that the phenyl groups are located on opposite sides of the double bond, the opposite of its geometric isomer, cis-stilbene. Trans-stilbene occurs as a white crystalline solid at room temperature and is highly soluble in organic solvents. It can be converted to cis-stilbene photochemically, and further reacted to produce phenanthrene.
Stilbene was discovered in 1843 by the French chemist Auguste Laurent.  The name "stilbene" is derived from the Greek word στίλβω (stilbo), which means "I shine", on account of the lustrous appearance of the compound.