A group of quaternary ammonium mandelates and l-prolinates, as ionicliquids, were synthesized and characterized. The prepared salts were soluble in water and showed high surface activity. The described synthesis of l-prolinate was simple and the obtained ionicliquid contained a chiral anion. l-Prolinate in CH2Cl2 was employed for the asymmetric Michael addition of a ketone to nitrostyrene. A yield