Easy Access to Vinylene-Linked Conjugated Homopolymers from Phosphonates via an O2‑Mediated Aldehyde-Free Strategy

Among numerous approaches, Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons (HWE) reactions between phosphonates and aldehydes have become crucial for developing synthetic strategies for fully vinylene-linked conjugated 1D/2D co/homopolymers. Herein, we report room-temperature synthesis of various fluorescent, chemo/photostable 2D (porous), and 1D homopolymers via base/oxygen-mediated HWE reactions starting with tris/bis-phosphonates without using aldehyde precursors. In addition, such polymerization produces a soluble polymer with an excellent number-average molecular weight (Mn = 69 891 Da). Water-soluble phosphate salt formation as a side product is desirable.