Metal-free UV-Vis-light-induced aerobic oxidative hydroxylation of arylboronic acids in the absence of a photosensitizer

Abstract

A simple and efficient method has been developed for the metal-free photosynthesis of phenols with UV-Vis (ultraviolet-visible) light in quartz tubes. The protocol uses readily available arylboronic acids as the starting materials, triethylamine as the sacrificial electron donor, and air as the oxidant. The method shows high efficiency, environmental friendliness and mild reaction conditions, without the addition of a photosensitizer.