Rhodium(III)-catalysed, redox-neutral C(sp2)-H alkenylation using pivalimide as a directing group with internal alkynes

[Display omitted] •Regioselective pivalimide directed alkenylation.•Redox-neutral.•Broad scope (30 examples) and yields of up to 90%. In the presence of [RhCp∗Cl2]2, N-pivaloyl anilines react with internal alkynes to give the corresponding 2-alkenylpivalimides under redox neutral conditions through C-H activation. This redox neutral hydroarylation, which does not require an external organic acid, unlocks a regioselective synthetic route to 2-alkenyl anilines and is generally applicable to diversely substituted electron rich and electron poor pivalimides.