p-Terphenyls and heteroaryl analogues including bipyridines were prepared via [5C + 1C(N)] annulation of alpha-aryl-alpha-alkenoyl ketene-(S,S)-acetals (five carbon 1,5-bielectrophilic species) with nitroethane or ammonium acetate. The reaction features mild conditions, multisubstitution, and functional group tolerance and is metal catalyst free. The present protocol provides a new alternative to the conventional methodologies for the synthesis of teraryls.