Abstract: A practical and scalable synthesis route of acetylphenylboronic acids is described. Bromoacetophenones(compounds 3a, 3b) were ketalized with ethylene glycol and triethyl orthoformate to give bromo ketals(compounds 4a_4c) in 60_80% yields. Compounds 4a_4b were treated with a Grignard reagent and then exchanged with borate to give p^- and m^- acetylphenyl boronic acids(compounds 5a and 5b) in 80% and 56% yields, respectively. The o^-form(compound 5c) was obtained in 61% yield via the BuLi method.

Key words: p^-, m^-, o^-Acetylphenylboronic acid, Grignard reaction, Mg^- and Li-halogen exchange