Abstract A series of amino-acid based ionic liquids (Bmim[AA]s) have been synthesized and evaluated as catalysts, in aqueous solution. The results of a kinetic study of the thiol-Michael reaction of L-Cysteine with trans-β-nitrostyrene demonstrated the advantages of using (Bmim[AA]s) as organocatalysts. The benefits include high rate constants; mild reaction conditions; and, a reusable catalyst, which leads to a simple and efficient method for these important kinds of reactions.