A mixture of the (Z)-and (E)-isomers of 4-hydroxy-N-desmethyltamoxifen was conveniently prepared in four steps. These geometrical isomers were then neatly separated by semi- preparative Reverse Phase High Performance Liquid Chromatography (RP-HPLC) using specified conditions. Additionally, the isolated E-isomer could be equilibrated in aqueous strong acid in acetonitrile or trifluoroacetic acid/dichloromethane to give a clean 1: 1 ...