An efficient three-step strategy for the synthesis of functionalized flavans, starting from readily available 2-bromoiodobenzenes and aryl vinyl alcohols, is presented and successfully extended to benzoxepine. An intermolecular [Pd]-catalyzed C-C and an intramolecular [Cu]-catalyzed C-O bond formations have been employed as key transformations of the strategy. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.