An efficient one-pot synthesis of 2-arylethanol derivatives using ethylene sulfate as a C2 building block is described. High yields are obtained upon trapping of aryllithium intermediates generated by halogen-metal exchange or directed metalation with ethylene sulfate. The resulting heteroaryl or phenylethanol derivatives represent versatile building blocks for the synthesis of annulated pyran derivatives by oxa-Pictet-Spengler reaction.