A chemoselective ipso-hydroxylation of arylboronic acids using urea-hydrogen peroxide under catalyst free condition

An efficient and practical method for the chemoselective ipso-hydroxylation of arylboronic acids is demonstrated using urea-hydrogen peroxide under catalyst free condition at room temperature. Remarkably, oxidation sensitive functional groups such as olefin, aldehyde, alcohol, ketone, and sulfide as well as heterocycles such as pyridine and thiophene were tolerated under the standard reaction condition. In addition to the solution phase, a solid phase ipso-hydroxylation of arylboronic acids has been investigated with urea hydrogen peroxide. The scope and limitations of the solid phase protocol is discussed. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.