Site-Selective Mono-Oxidation of 1,2-Bis(boronates).

Site-selective oxidation of vicinal bis(boronates) is accomplished through the use of trimethylamine N-oxide in 1-butanol solvent. The reaction occurs with good efficiency and selectivity across a range of substrates, providing 2-hydro-1-boronic esters which are shown to be versatile intermediates in the synthesis of chiral building blocks.