Abstract
A new and efficient method for the synthesis of 2-vinylanilines from the reaction of arylhydrazine hydrochlorides with alkenes and diethyl ketone via a rhodium-catalyzed C-H activation is described. The oxidant-free olefination reaction involves the in situ generation of an -N-N=CR 1 R 2 moiety as the oxidizing directing group thus providing an easy access to 2-vinylanilines.