Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of converting a carboxylic acid group in a compound, via a redox active ester, to a corresponding boronic ester by treatment with bis(pinacolato)diboron-alkyllithium complex in the presence of a ligand, a Ni(ll) salt or a copper salt, and an Mg(ll) salt, in the presence of an alkyllithium or a lithium hydroxide or alkoxide salt. The product pinacolato boronate ester can be cleaved to provide a boronic acid. The invention is also directed to methods of preparing various compounds of medical value comprising boronic acid groups, and to novel boronic-acid containing compounds of medicinal value, including an atorvastatin boronic acid analog, a vancomycin aglycone boronic acid analog, and boronic acid containing elastase inhibitors mCBK319, mCBK320, mCBK323, and RPX-7009.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods of converting a carboxylic acid group in a compound, via a redox active ester, to a corresponding boronic ester by treatment with bis(pinacolato)diboron-alkyllithium complex in the presence of a ligand, a Ni(11) salt or a copper salt, and an Mg(11) salt, in the presence of an alkyllithium or a lithium hydroxide or alkoxide salt. The product pinacolato boronate ester can be cleaved to provide a boronic acid. The invention is also directed to methods of preparing various compounds of medical value comprising boronic acid groups, and to novel boronic-acid containing compounds of medicinal value, including an atorvastatin boronic acid analog, a vancomycin aglycone boronic acid analog, and boronic acid containing elastase inhibitors mCBK319, mCBK320, mCBK323, and RPX-7009.