The staged hydrolysis of N-methylimidodiacetic (MIDA) boronates is a prerequisite for their application in small-molecule constructions. Mechanistic studies now show that two distinct hydrolysis mechanisms operate in parallel, the partitioning — which is dependent on the pH, water activity and homogeneity of the medium — can be readily quantified by 18O incorporation.
- Jorge A. Gonzalez
- O. Maduka Ogba
- Guy C. Lloyd-Jones