In the presence of [RhCp*Cl(2)l(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. (C) 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.