Rapid and green synthesis of phenols catalyzed by a deep eutectic mixture based on fluorinated alcohol in water

A new deep eutectic mixture based on choline chloride and 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoro-2-propanol (HFIP) was prepared and was found to be effective for the rapid transformation of aryl/heteroaryl boronic acids to the corresponding phenols in water using hydrogen peroxide as the oxidant. Broad substrate compatibility, metal- and additive-free conditions as well as reusability of the catalyst made this procedure more environmentally benign. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.