Effective methodology that activates selectively either end of a carbon–carbon triple bond requires key challenge of differentiating between the multitude of C C bonds present in complex organic molecule. The synthetic strategy exploited the electronic biases within the substrate and successfully achieved site–selective [bmIm]OH catalyzed C C bond functionalization under mild reaction conditions. This resulted in C-2-selective addition of phenacyl bromide on p-substituted phenyl acetylene and C-1 selective addition on the o-substituted phenyl acetylene leading to C C bond formation. The reaction proceeded smoothly with excellent yield under ambient conditions. This report demonstrates the progress on the catalytic activity of recyclable [bmIm]OH for selective C C bond formation.
