Boronic acids are organic compounds that contain a boron atom bonded to a hydroxyl group (-OH) and two other groups, typically carbon-containing groups. They are represented by the general formula R-B(OH)2, where R can be a variety of organic groups. Boronic acids are important in organic chemistry and are used in various applications, including drug development and materials science. These compounds are known for their ability to form reversible covalent bonds with diols, which makes them useful in sensing and detecting sugars and other biomolecules. Additionally, boronic acids play a crucial role in the Suzuki coupling reaction, a widely used method for forming carbon-carbon bonds in organic synthesis.