Catalyst-free rapid conversion of arylboronic acids to phenols under green condition

Abstract

A catalyst-free and solvent-free method for the oxidative hydroxylation of aryl boronic acids to corresponding phenols with hydrogen peroxide as the oxidizing agent was developed. The reactions could be performed under green condition at room temperature within very short reaction time. 99% yield of phenol could be achieved in only 1 min. A series of different arenes substituted aryl boronic acids were further carried out in the hydroxylation reaction with excellent yield. It was worth nothing that the reaction could completed within 1 min in all cases in the presence of ethanol as co-solvent.