Recent Advances in Green Synthesis of Functionalized Phenols from Aromatic Boronic Compounds

Phenol and its derivatives are fundamental building blocks in organic synthesis and materials science. Over the past decades, tremendous attention has been paid to construct functionalized phenols, and various methods have been developed. Owing to the high efficiency and mild reaction conditions, synthesis of phenols from the hydroxylation of aryl boronic compounds has been emerging as a promising approach. In this review, we summarize the progress using aryl boronic compounds as starting reagents to synthesize phenol derivatives in the last ten years. Different reaction systems, including thermal catalytic (homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis), photocatalytic and electrocatalytic systems, as well as oxidant involved catalyst‐free systems, will be discussed comprehensively. In the last part of the review, we will provide an outlook regarding the current challenges and future perspectives for the preparation of functional phenols from aryl boronic compounds.