Serhiy Mikolaevich Reformats'kiy (1867–1934) (Russian, Sergei Nikolaevich Reformatsky) was one of the founding fathers of organic chemistry in Ukraine. His eponymous reaction, between α-halozinc esters and aldehydes and ketones to give β-hyroxyesters, survived both the Grignard reaction and the modern crossed aldol addition, partly because of its success in synthesizing hindered compounds. His life and legacy are presented.

Abstract

Serhiy Mykolayovych Reformatskyi, [Ukrainian: Рeφopмaтcьκий, Cepгiй Mиκoлaйoвич; Russian: Sergei Nikolaevich Reformatskii, РeΦopмaтcκий, Cepгeй Hиκoлaeвич (1860-1934)] was a product of Zaitsev's laboratory in Kazan Imperial University in Russia and one of the founding fathers of organic chemistry in Ukraine. He discovered his eponymous reaction while a graduate student in Kazan under Zaitsev, studying the synthesis of homoallylic alcohols. He modified this reaction by replacing the olefinic π bond of an allyl halide with a carbonyl group. In the prototype reaction, he treated ethyl haloacetates with zinc and aldehydes or ketones. The reaction gave the corresponding β-hydroxyesters and remains an important synthetic method. Work on the reaction over the ensuing century and a quarter has led to the discovery of analogous reactions using a wide range of metals, and even permitting the use of water as a solvent.