The invention relates to vinylstilbene compounds of the formula ##STR1## wherein Q is the grouping --COX or ##STR2## These compounds are obtained by reacting 1 molar equivalent of a compound of the formula II ##STR3## wherein X is chlorine, bromine or iodine, in the presence of a base and with the addition of palladium metal or of palladium compounds, as catalyst, which, under the reaction conditions, form labile palladium(O) compounds which do not contain phosphorus, with 1 molar equivalent of a compound of the formula III or with 1 molar equivalent of each of the compounds of the formulae III and IV ##STR4##