Bromo-based and acetated-based ionic liquids (ILs), 1-butyle-3-methylimidazolium bromo ([Bmim]Br), 1-ethyl-3-mthylimidazolium bromo ([Emim]Br), 1-butyle-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Bmim]Ac), and 1-ethyl-3-mthylimidazolium acetate ([Emim]Ac), were synthesized and employed for wool surface treatment. Scanning electron microscope results indicated that the wool surfaces treated with acetated-based ILs were eroded more than those treated with bromo-based ILs. Comparable studies showed that the wool samples treated with acetate-based ILs, especially [Emim]Ac, had higher initial dyeing rate and equilibrium exhaustion than those with bromo-based ILs. Along with treatment temperature and time increasing, acetate-based ILs had more remarkable effects on mechanical and dyeing properties of the wool samples than bromo-based ILs. The wool samples treated with [Emim]Ac at 60 degrees C for 10 min had excellent low-temperature dyeing properties. The color depth (K/S) investigations showed that the wool samples treated with acetate-based ILs possessed darker color depth than those treated with the bromo-based ILs. Color fastnesses of the wool samples treated with [Bmim]Br, [Emim]Br and [Bmim]Ac exhibited the same grades as the untreated sample, while wet color fastnesses of [Emim]Ac treated sample were slightly decreased. (C) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 123: 3283-3291, 2012