The first samarium(II)-mediated spirocyclisation onto an aromatic ring was achieved by the reaction of methyl 4-(4-oxoalkyl)benzoates with SmI₂ in the presence of i-PrOH and HMPA, yielding methyl 1-alkyl-1-hydroxyspiro[4.5]dec-6-ene-8-carboxylates in moderate to high yields.