In the past decade, copper complexes have been extensively studied and employed in organic transformations. 1 Among these applications, the copper-catalyzed hydroxylation of boronic acids is considered a facile protocol for the preparation of alcohols. 2 Noting the significant usefulness of copper-catalyzed transformation in organic synthesis, we sought to design an alternative greener pathway utilizing biopolymers and environmentally friendly reaction conditions.To achieve this aim, we were interested in utilizing chitosan generated by the deacetylation of chitin, the second-most abundant natural polysaccaharide after cellulose. Owing to its combination of unique characteristics, chitosan is used in the form of an unmodified polymer or as modified derivatives in various applications. This is especially true in the presence of readily functionalizable primary amino groups that enable easy and effective chemical modification of the material, thereby imparting several desirable chemical and biological properties. 3 In general, the polymer-surface modification through the introduction of new complexation groups may result in the formation of different chelating sites. These sites yield considerable changes in the adsorption capacity and the chemical reactivity of the complexed metal ion in solution.Numerous protocols have been used for chemical modification of chitosan over the last decades. However, the introduction of pyridine derivatives into the chitosan backbone (resulting in Schiff base formation) has recently gained significant attention. One reason for such attention is that this protocol can be applied to metal absorption, antimicrobial activity, gene delivery, sensor applications, and biomedical applications. 4 Presumably, the capacity characterizing imine functionality of chitosan can enhance the metal chelating ability, thereby promoting the catalytic activity of the metal.Considering these aspects, we decided to prepare a modified-chitosan platform with pyridine (L1), and then investigate its applicability in the most robust and useful reaction called ipso-hydroxylation of boronic acids, in conjunction with copper catalyst. In addition, to compare the active role of the pyridine moiety in the chitosan backbone, an alternative chitosan platform (L2) modified with thiophene rings was also prepared and applied to the ipsohydroxylation of boronic acids.A straightforward method for the synthesis of pyridineor thiophene-modified chitosan supports (CTS-Py, L1, and CTS Th, L2, respectively, hereafter) is shown in Scheme 1. Quantifiable yields of modified chitosan derivatives (L1 and L2) were obtained upon the treatment of chitosan with 2-pyridinecarboxaldehyde or 2-thiophenecarboxaldehyde in ethanol at a refluxing temperature. 5 Results of 1 H, 13 C NMR spectra, and IR spectra corresponded closely to the literature values. 6 Strong and broad OH absorption bands observed at 3435 and 3300 cm −1 in the IR spectra of L1 and L2, respectively. The diagnostic peak occurring at 1649 cm −1 corresponded to the conden...