Estrogens are a group of steroids that exert important effects on reproductive and many non-reproductive tissues. Selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERM) are a class of therapeutic agents widely prescribed for the treatment and prevention of breast cancer, osteoporosis, and postmenopausal symptoms. Raloxifene, an example of oral SERM is prescribed primarily for the treatment and prevention of postmenopausal disorders in woman. The current review provides an outline of practical methodologies used to access benzothiophenyl scaffolds of raloxifene and relevant structural analogs. The contents are discussed in five sections: (a) synthesis of raloxifene, (b) organometallic analogs, (c) radiolabelled analogs, (d) constrained raloxifene analogs, and (e) other oxygen, sulfur, and nitrogen based raloxifene analogs. In addition to the synthesis, biological activity of a few synthetic analogs has been discussed.
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