Boric acid in organic synthesis: Scope and recent developments

Abstract

In recent years boric acid [H3BO3] has played an important role in organic synthesis. The present review summarizes the latest developments in boric acid catalyzed transformations especially esterification, transesterification, aza-Michael and thia-Michael addition, condensation, Friedel-Crafts reactions, Tishenko reactions, halogenations, ipso substitution, decarboxylation, protection and deprotection reactions, amidation and transamidation reactions, multicomponent reactions including synthesis of nitrogen and oxygen heterocycles. Boric acid has emerged as an efficient, mild, commercially available, inexpensive catalyst in the formation of various biologically important organic compounds reported during the last decade. (eqation presented).