Zeolite catalyzed hydroarylation of alkenes with aromatic amines under organic ligand-free conditions

•Zeolite is a good material for hydroarylation reaction.•Lewis acid can promote Hofmann-Martius rearrangement.•The weak acid sites of zeolite play a key role in forming hydroarylation products.•The suitable pore size of zeolite facilitated reactants enter and products exit in the pore.•USY catalyst could be reused at least 10 times without obvious deactivation.