Process for preparing tetrazolylphenylboronic acid intermediates

A process for preparing a compound of formula I ##STR14## wherein:

• P is triphenylmethyl, tertiary-butyl, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxymethyl, methylthiomethyl, phenyl C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxymethyl, p-methoxybenzyl, 2,4,6-trimethylbenzyl, 2-(trimethylsilyl)ethyl, tetrahydropyranyl, piperonyl, or benzenesulfonyl;
• and
• R.sup.1a and R.sup.1b are each independently chlorine, bromine, C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkoxy or hydroxy;
• and
• R.sup.1a and R.sup.1b can be taken together with B to form a cyclic structure ##STR15## where A is phenyl, or (CH.sub.2).sub.n, where n is 2-4, comprising reacting in an inert atmosphere a carbanion having the formula ##STR16## wherein:
• P is defined as above;
• and
• M is a metal selected from the group consisting of lithium, sodium, potassium, or magnesium
• with a boron compound having the formula ##STR17## wherein R.sup.1a and R.sup.1b are as above, and
• R.sup.1c is chlorine, bromine or C.sub.1-4 alkoxy in an aprotic solvent at a temperature ranging from -70.degree. C. to 25.degree. C.