Tandem [4 + 1 + 1] annulation and metal-free aerobic oxidative aromatization: straightforward synthesis of highly substituted phenols from one aldehyde and two ketones.

Polysubstituted phenols are efficiently assembled from one aldehyde and two different methyl ketones in a one-pot operation via a newly base-induced regiospecific [4 + 1 + 1] annulation and sequential metal-free oxidative aromatization using molecular oxygen (from air) as the sole oxidant at room temperature.