Synthesis of benzylic boronates via palladium-catalyzed cross-coupling reaction of bis(pinacolato)diboron with benzylic halides

The palladium cross-coupling reaction of benzyl halides with diboron 1 yielded structurally diverse pinacol benzylic boronates. Under these reaction conditions, sensitive functionalities such as esters and nitriles are tolerated and the benzylic boronates are obtained in good to high yields. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.