Benzofurazans are important pharmaceutical intermediates. Benzofurazans are known bioisosteres of the nitro group. Both oxadiazoles and nitro groups have strong electron-withdrawing properties, but when optimizing drug-like properties such as activity, selectivity, and stability, the absence of standard charges in the oxadiazole structure may be more beneficial to drug products. What's more, nitro groups have been identified as toxic groups, and it is routine to remove or replace them in the early stages of drug development.
Boronic acids and boronate esters are commonly used reagents in Suzuki–Miyaura coupling chemistry. Organoboron derivatives are common reagents for C–C bond formation, either through classical palladium-mediated transformations or through other newer coupling methods. Boronic esters and acids are potential intermediates in the manufacture of many active pharmaceutical ingredients (API).