Wangyu´s efforts paying off – the creation of larger-ring heterocycles from carbon dioxide using catalytic approaches has long been elusive. Here we show that such targets can be constructed through a domino type process utilizing in-house developed aminotriphenolate-Al(III) complexes. The work highlights the versatility of the prepared synthons to accommodate the formation of new types of bicyclic pharmacores, and the ease of functionalization and synthetic use of the seven- and eight-membered synthons.