Configuration Effects in 1,2-Dichloroethene Isomers: Synthesis, Separation, and Environmental Conversion

1,2-Dichloroethene isomers constitute an important model system that bridges molecular configurational chemistry, intensified process separation, and the transformation of chlorinated pollutants. Although cis- and trans-1,2-DCE possess the same molecular composition, their configurational differences give rise to systematic variations in electronic distribution, polarity, thermodynamic stability, volatilization behavior, solvation characteristics, and interfacial interactions. These features make them exemplary probes for elucidating how subtle structural differences can be amplified into measurable disparities in physicochemical properties, reactivity, and separation selectivity. This article presents a systematic review of the historical development, fundamental properties, industrial synthesis, separation and purification, as well as the application and environmental significance of these two isomers. Current bottlenecks lie mainly in insufficient coupling between the reaction and separation stages, the lack of industrial feasibility data for adsorption materials, limited targeted evidence for membrane-based processes, and the incomplete establishment of mechanisms and pathways for shifting environmental removal toward resource-oriented conversion. Future efforts may focus on the development of configuration-controlled catalytic manufacturing, highly stable and selective separation materials, integrated reaction-separation processes, and strategies for the targeted valorization of pollutants, thereby advancing research on 1,2-DCE isomers from fundamental understanding toward low-carbon manufacturing and high-value applications.