The mol-ecules of the title compound, C(22)H(17)N, are linked by weak inter-actions, among which the most prominent are C-H⋯π inter-actions. The dihedral angles between the phenyl rings and the quinoline ring system are 43.3 (3) and 21.4 (3)°. The title product resulted from a three-component reaction of benzaldehyde, 1-ethynylbenzene and p-toluidine via C-H activation of 1-ethynylbenzene catalyzed by CuI in the ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methyl-imidazolium hexa-fluoro-phosphate.