trans-Stilbene is used in the manufacturing of dye lasers, optical brighteners, non-steroidal synthetic estrogens such as diethylstilbestrol, fosfestrol and dienestrol. It is used as a phosphor and a scintillator. It is also involved in transition metal catalyzed asymmetric epoxidation and dihydroxylation. Further, it is used as raw material in organic synthesis.