The lack of scalable and sustainable methods to prepare conjugated polymers belies their importance in many enabling technologies. Accessing high-performance poly(hetero)arene conjugated polymers by dehydration has remained an unsolved problem in synthetic chemistry and has historically required transitional-metal coupling reactions. Herein, we report a dehydration method that allows access to conjugated heterocyclic materials. By using the technique, we have prepared a series of small molecules and polymers. The reaction avoids using transition metals, proceeds at room temperature, the only required reactant is a simple base and water is the sole by-product. The dehydration reaction is technically simple and provides a sustainable and straightforward method to prepare conjugated heteroarene motifs.

A dehydration method has been developed that yields efficient access to a thiazole‐containing conjugated materials. The technique is applicable to synthesis of both small molecules and polymers. The reaction proceeds at room temperature, requires only a simple base, avoids the use of transition metals, and has water is the sole by‐product. The dehydration reaction is technically simple and provides a sustainable and straightforward method to prepare conjugated heteroarene motifs. For more information, see the Communication by Schipper et al. on page 12231 ff.