Rongalite-promoted metal-free aerobic ipso-hydroxylation of arylboronic acids under sunlight: DFT mechanistic studies

Abstract

A novel rongalite-promoted metal-free aerobic ipso-hydroxylation of arylboronic acids has been developed. This method employs low-cost rongalite as a radical initiator and O2 as a green oxidizing agent for ipso-hydroxylation. This protocol is compatible with a wide variety of functional groups with good to excellent yields at room temperature. Furthermore, mechanistic insight into the role of superoxide radical anions in C-B cleavage has also been provided based on DFT studies.