Reformatsky reaction as a key step in the synthesis of natural products: A review

Reformatsky reaction holds a prominent place in synthetic chemistry as it provides a unique route to build carbon-carbon bond. In this reaction, aldehydes or ketones react with α-halocarbonyl compounds in the presence of metal catalysts to produce β-hydroxy alkanoates. S. N. Reformatsky discovered this transformation in 1887 and it has a wide range of applications in the total synthesis of various natural compounds. In this account, attention has been placed on the utilization of Reformatsky reaction in the total synthesis of natural compounds, reported since 2013.