Ruthenium-Catalyzed Hydroarylation of Anilides with Alkynes: An Efficient Route to Ortho-Alkenylated Anilines

Acetanilides reacted with symmetrical as well as unsymmetrical alkynes in the presence of [{RUCl2(p-cymene)}(2)], pivalic acid, and AgSbF6 in iso-PrOH,providing ortho-alkenylated acetanilides in a highly regio- and stereoselective manner. Later, ortho-alkenylated acetanilides were converted into ortho-alkenylated anilines in the presence of HCl.