An efficient synthesis of sterically hindered arylboronic acids

Boronic acids are important intermediates and molecular recognition moieties in a wide variety of applications. In our research, we have found that the synthesis of ortho-substituted arylboronic acids is problematic with the commonly used bis(pinacolato)diboron in palladium-mediated borylation reactions. As a substitute, we have found that bis(neopentyl glycolato)diboron is a much more efficient borylation agent for the synthesis of sterically hindered ortho-substituted arylboronic acids.