Several ionic liquids were used for Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction; the results show that the pyridinium ionic liquids N-ethylpyridinium tetrafluoroborate ([EPy] [BF4]) and N-butylpyridinium nitrate ([BuPy] [NO3]) as reaction media were efficient for DABCO-catalyzed Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. In short reaction time, good yields have been obtained. In addition, in the presence of ionic liquid [EPy] [BF4], the hexamethylenetetramme (HMTA), a cheap tertiary amine, effectively catalyzed the Morita-Baylis-Hillman reaction. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.