Abstract
This paper reviews the present state of the Reformatsky reaction, the advancement of which has recently led to a considerable extension of its scope. 1. Introduction 2. Reagent Structure and Reaction Mechanism 3. The Role of Metal Activation 4. Substitution of Zinc by Other Metals 5. Reactive Halogen Compounds: Precursors of Reformatsky Donor Reagents 5.1. α-Halo Carbonyl Compounds 5.2. Stereoselectivity in Reformatsky Reactions 5.3. Alkyl 2-Bromomethyl-2-alkenoates and Heteroanalogues 5.4. Alkyl 4-Bromo-2-alkenoates 5.5. Zinc Homocnolates 6. Electrophiles in Reformatsky Reactions 6.1. Carbonyl Compounds and Derivatives, Intermolecular Reactions 6.2. Intramolecular Reformatsky Reactions 6.3. Uncommon Electrophiles in Reformatsky Reactions 7. Conclusions and Outlook
