Site selective [bmIm]OH catalyzed C C bond functionalization under green conditions

•Electronic biases within the substrate is exploited for site–selective CC bond functionalization.•p-Substituted phenyl acetylenes formed product through nucleophilic attack on non-terminal carbon.•The o-substituted phenyl acetylenes afforded product through nucleophilic attack on terminal carbon.•The reaction proceeded smoothly with excellent yield under ambient conditions.•The short reaction time, excellent yield and catalyst recyclability add excellent credential to the disclosed methodology.