Abstract A dabco-based basic ionic liquid, 1-butyl-4-aza-1-azaniabicyclo [2.2. 2] octane hydroxide, has been developed as a catalyst for a convenient and rapid method for the Michael addition of active methylene compounds to α, β-unsaturated carboxylic esters and nitriles. The method is very simple, and the yields are very high. The catalyst can be recycled several times without much loss of activity.
