Regioselective Annulation of 2‐(2‐Bromophenyl)‐ <scp>1</scp> <i>H</i> ‐Imidazoles With <i>Ortho</i> ‐Substituted Phenylacetylenes Catalyzed by <scp>CuI</scp>

ABSTRACT The two‐component reaction between 2‐(2‐bromophenyl)‐1 H ‐imidazoles and ortho ‐substituted phenylacetylenes was investigated under basic conditions catalyzed by CuI. High yields of 5‐benzylidene‐5 H ‐imidazo[2,1‐ a ]isoindoles were obtained via a 5‐exo‐dig reaction when the substituent was an electron‐withdrawing group. Conversely, when the substituent was an electron‐donating group, the reaction yielded 5‐arylimidazo[2,1‐ a ]isoquinolines through a 6‐endo‐dig process.