Substrate-Controlled Selectivity Switch in a Three-Component Reaction: A Ag-Catalyzed Strategy for the Synthesis of Functionalized Imidazoles.

An efficient Ag-catalyzed three-component reaction of amidines, ynals, and alcohols, phenols, or water has been developed. This strategy provides a wide range of substrates and represents a simple process for the preparation of different imidazole derivatives in good yields with high regioselectivities.