A new synthesis of butadienyl- and styrylboronic esters: highly reactive intermediates for Suzuki cross-coupling.

Alkoxy-functionalized butadienyl- and styrylboronic esters have been synthesized starting from alpha,beta-unsaturated acetals. These derivatives readily cross-couple with aryl substrates, and the obtained products can be transformed under mild conditions into aromatic ketones, achieving the same result as an acylation reaction. [reaction: see text]