Formal meta-specific intramolecular Friedel–Crafts allylic alkylation of phenols was achieved based on spirocyclization–dienone–phenol rearrangement cascades. Systematic screening of acid catalysts revealed that Sc(OTf)3 was a highly effective catalyst for dienone–phenol rearrangement of spiro[4.5]cyclohexadienones. Using 5 mol % of Sc(OTf)3 as the promoter, various spirocyclic substrates were transformed