Cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes-catalyzed aerobic hydroxylation of arylboronic acids induced by visible-light

The cyclometalated Ir(III) complexes-catalyzed aerobic hydroxylation of arylboronic acids under visible-light has been successfully developed. This catalytic system has a broad substrate scope, affording a series of phenols smoothly with the highest isolated yield up to 95%. Moreover, this protocol is capable to synthesize several useful phenols containing bulky moieties, which are potential candidates or intermediates used as pharmaceuticals and functional materials. The Ir(III)-catalyzed hydroxylation of arylboronic acids could be applied in a one-pot synthesis of several important phenol derivatives, including 1,1′-methylene-bis(2-naphthol), 2,3-dihydro-1H-naphtho2,1-e]1,3]oxazine and a bioactive compound LUF5771.