In this catalytic system, both electron-deficient and electronrich
aryl boronic acids demonstrated good reactivity and
provided the desired products in moderate to excellent yields in
short reaction times (2b−2p). Coupling of 2-methyl (2d) or
2,4-dimethyl (2f) phenyl boronic acids with triazine esters gave
the corresponding sterically hindered ketones in 92% and 91%
yield, respectively (Table 3). Furthermore, heteroaryl ketones
3nt (77%), 3nu (57%), 3vt (55%), and 3wt (61%) could be
synthesized via this approach from 2-thiophenecarboxylic acid
and heteroaryl boronic acids. To our delight, the scope of the
aryl boronic acid was wide in this one-pot reaction, with high
functional group compatibility and negligible steric hindrance
effects.