Fast protodeboronation of arylboronic acids and esters with AlCl3 at room temperature

AlCl3-mediated protodeboronation of arylboronic acids and esters is reported herein. This method features mild reaction conditions, high reaction yields, as well as short reaction times. Mechanistic studies based on 11B NMR spectroscopy suggest that it might proceed through initial boron activation by coordination of AlCl3 to the oxygen atom of arylboronic acid or ester groups.