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. © 2014 American Chemical Society.