Azidosubstituted arylboronic acids: synthesis and Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reactions

Arylboronic acids having a remote azido group were prepared from the corresponding azidosubstituted aryl bromides via lithiation and treatment with trialkyl borates. Preparative yields were achieved when the starting aryl bromides possessed ortho-alkoxy groups, which would stabilize the intermediate aryllithium species. Conventional Suzuki cross-coupling of the arylboronic acids proceeded generally well with retention of azido group; however, sometimes azidomethyl fragment underwent oxidative transformation into a nitrile. (c) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.