The highly efficient air oxidation of aryl and alkyl boronic acids by a microwave-assisted protocol under transition metal-free conditions

Molecular oxygen is the most important green-oxidant due to its excellent properties. However, the effective utilization of molecular oxygen remains a major challenge in modern chemistry. Herein, we report the development a rapid, green and efficient microwave-assisted protocol for the air oxidation of boronic acids to phenols and alcohols under transition metal-free conditions. In the presence of KOH and DMSO, high yields of the expected phenols and alcohol were obtained with microwave-assistance, and a variety of functional groups were tolerated in this procedure. Notably, this transition metal-free method represents a breakthrough in both organic synthesis and green chemistry for the oxidative hydroxylation of boronic acids to phenols and alcohols.