Fig. 4. The computed effect of compressive force on the geometry of stiff stilbene.

Overlay of the minimum-energy conformers of E-SS(OMe)₂ (a) and its transition state (b) in the absence of force (red) and coupled to compressive force of 0.5, 1 and 1.5 nN (light orange, blue and green, respectively). The view is along the C = C bond that isomerizes. Note the much greater bending of the indanone core in the E isomer compared to the TS at the same force.