The Reformatsky Reaction


Author(s):
Rathke, Michael W.
Volume:
22
Published:
1975

Abstract


The Reformatsky reaction is the reaction of a carbonyl compound, usually an aldehyde or a ketone, with an alpha-haloester in the presence of zinc metal to furnish, after hydrolysis, a β-hydoxyester. Subsequent dehydration of the hydroxyester is commonly carried out to form an alpha, β-unsaturated ester. This chapter summarizes some of the more important advances in the understanding and use of the Reformatsky reaction since the original chapter was published in volume 1 of this series.