A domino one-pot synthesis of 2H-chromenes and 4H-chromenes starting from phenols and terminal acetylenes in an atom economical reaction under solvent-free conditions is described. This annulation reaction between phenols with alkynes is promoted by the simple Lewis acid ZnCl2. Significantly, to the best of our knowledge, the synthesis of 2H-chromenes is the first of its kind, as it is based on the use of terminal alkyl acetylenes. The described method shows a broad substrate scope and good functional group tolerance. © 2018 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim