The RuH2(CO)(PPh3)(3)-catalyzed reaction of 2-amino-6-methylacetophenone with phenylboronic acid 2,2-dimethyl-1,3-propanediol ester in refluxing toluene gave the corresponding phenylation product in 83% yield via aryl carbon-nitrogen bond cleavage. This reaction involves two notable features: (1) the coupling proceeds via the oxidative addition of an aryl carbon-nitrogen bond in anilines to the ruthenium complex, and (2) C-C bond formation takes place via transmetalation between the Ru-NR2 species and organoboronates.