Direct borylation of benzyl alcohol and its analogues in the absence of bases

Direct borylation of arylmethanols to synthesize important and useful benzylboronates was carried out through Pd(OAc)(2)-catalyzed sp(3) C-O activation. This borylation is compatible with various functional groups under mild conditions in the absence of any bases, offering an atom- and step-economical way to produce benzylboron compounds.