Abstract
The Diels-Alder reaction is one of the most versatile reactions known to the organic chemists. This reaction was named after Scientists who discovered this reaction, Otto Diels and Kurt Alder (Research Student of Otto Diels).This discovery led both of them the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in the year 1950. This reaction has been successfully utilized in the synthesis of many of the complex organic molecules like Reserpine, Cholesterol, Gibberellic acid, Ambruticins, myrocin C, (-) colombiasin A, Antibiotic X-14547 A etc. The present review article emphasis on introduction, mechanism, applications and some of the recent advantages of this reaction. A special emphasis has been laid on the application of this reaction in the synthesis of natural products and its complete synthesis and also to other molecules with known pharmacological actions.
