Phenols are ubiquitous motifs in nature and their aerobic oxidation is implicated in the biosynthesis of a wide variety of biologically relevant compounds and polymeric materials. This chapter outlines notable catalytic aerobic oxidations of phenols, and includes recent advances in oxidative dimerizations, polymerizations and oxygenation reactions as well as key advances in copper-mediated phenol functionalization. Specifically, this chapter focuses on the synthesis of poly(1,4-phenylene oxides), biphenols, quinones, Pummerer’s ketones, and oxepinobenzofurans.