Catalysis by Amberlite IR-120 resin: a rapid and green method for the synthesis of phenols from arylboronic acids under metal, ligand, and base-free conditions

A clean process has been developed for the ipso-hydroxylation of aryl and heteroaryl boronic acids to the corresponding phenols using commercially available and recyclable Amberlite IR-120 resin and aqueous hydrogen peroxide as an oxidizing agent. The ion-exchange sulfonic acid resin catalyst could be readily recycled by filtration and directly reused at least four times without any significant loss of activity.