Benzoquinone-Promoted Aerobic Oxidative Hydroxylation of Arylboronic Acids in Water

A general and efficient aerobic oxidative hydroxylation of arylboronic acids promoted by benzoquinone in water was realized, and provided phenols in 72–95% yields for 20 examples. The main advantages of this protocol are the use of water as solvent in the presence of a catalytic amount of benzoquinone, and metal-free conditions.