Synthesis of 2,3-substituted thienylboronic acids and esters

A noncryogenic protocol for the synthesis of 2-substituted 3-thienylboronic acids and esters as well as 3-substituted 2-thienylboronic acids and esters has been developed. Electrophiles were introduced regiospecifically in the 2-position of 2,3-dibromothiophene and in the 3-position of 2-bromo-3-iodothiophene by halogen-magnesium exchange followed by quenching with electrophiles. Palladium-catalyzed borylation of the 2,3-substituted halothiophenes with pinacolborane and P(t-Bu)(3) as ligand for Pd produced 9 and 10. The borylation protocol was tolerated by a range of functional groups; however, strongly electron-withdrawing substituents decreased the stability of the thienylboronic acids and esters.