We describe the use of vanillin-based monomers as a renewable feedstock for the synthesis of cross-conjugated polymers. This transformation exploits a catechyl-substituted phosphonite mediated multicomponent polymerization to convert vanillin-derived diimines, commercial diacid chlorides, and simple alkynes or alkenes into conjugated pyrrole-based polymers. The flexibility of the multicomponent polymerization has allowed for the efficient formation of families of vanillin-derived fluorescent polymers with tunable properties. This includes coupling vanillin with furan-based acid chlorides as the first cross-conjugated polymer composed of both components of lignocellulosic biomass.

We describe the use of simple copper-salt catalysts in the selective aerobic oxidation of amines to nitriles or imines. These catalysts are marked by their exceptional efficiency, operate at ambient temperature and pressure, and allow the oxidation of amines without expensive ligands or additives. This study highlights the significant role counterions can play in controlling selectivity in catalytic aerobic oxidations.

We describe the use of simple copper-salt catalysts in the selective aerobic oxidation of amines to nitriles or imines. These catalysts are marked by their exceptional efficiency, operate at ambient temperature and pressure,a nd allow the oxidation of amines without expensive ligands or additives. This study highlights the significant role counterions can play in controlling selectivity in catalytic aerobic oxidations.Supportinginformation and the ORCID identification number(s) for the author(s) of this article can be found under http://dx.Scheme 3. Kinetic isotope effects and control experiments.Scheme 4. Proposed mechanism. Angewandte Chemie Communications 15805