Ionic liquids are found to accelerate the Petasis boronic acid-Mannich reaction of aldehyde, secondary amine and aryl boronic acid under mild conditions to afford the corresponding alkylaminophenols in high yields. The remarkable features of this procedure are improved yields, enhanced reaction rates and ease of recyclability of ionic liquids (ILs). The recovered ionic liquid can be reused for four to five times without apparent loss of activity. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.