The strong interfacial properties of selected plant polyphenols were recently exploited in forming functionally versatile nanocoatings via dip-coating. Here, we screened a library of ~20 natural and synthetic phenols and polyphenols, identifying eight catechol-, gallol- and resorcinol-rich precursors capable of forming coatings. Several newly identified compounds expand the molecular diversity of tannin-inspired coatings.