The photocatalyzed isomerization of cis-2-butene has been investigated on active ZrO2 catalysts which exhibited a typical photoluminescence associated with low coordinated surface sites. A geometrical isomerization reaction occurred predominantly and with high efficiency under UV-irradiation of the ZrO2 catalyst in the presence of cis-2-butene. A good parallel between the photoluminescence intensity and the rate of photocatalytic activity clearly indicated that the low coordinated surface sites play a significant role in the photocatalytic isomerization of cis-2-butene on the active ZrO2 catalysts.