A one-pot tandem isomerization/carbon−carbon bond forming sequence catalyzed by a ruthenium complex/Brønsted acid binary system is demonstrated. The method enables the use of readily available allylamides to deliver reactive imines under relay catalysis using a binary catalytic system. Subsequent Brønsted acid catalyzed carbon−carbon bond forming reactions of the generated imines with nucleophilic components afforded Friedel−Crafts and Mannich products in good yields.