In this work, the direct synthesis of materials formed by a network of Al, P, N and O atoms (AIPON) from the ammonolysis of P and N molecular precursors in an ionic liquid is reported. The as-made samples can be treated under ammonia at high temperature to remove the ionic liquid retained after synthesis. The resulting amorphous materials have high porosity and surface area. The P atoms of the skeleton are involved in single and double bonds with N atoms, whereas bridged -NH- and terminal P-NH2 groups are also present. However, no evidence for Al N bonds has been found. It has been shown by pyrrole adsorption that these materials exhibit basic properties, showing a basic strength higher than that of Si N materials, but weaker than hydrotalcites. Nevertheless, they are active and very selective catalysts for the Michael addition reaction between malononitrile and chalcone. (C) 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.