1-Propyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C(3)MIm]Cl) ionic liquid and sulfamic acid (NH2SO3H), as a synergetic catalytic medium, were used for the transesterification of acetoacetate with alcohols of different structures. It shows the good ability for the chemoselective transesterificatin of beta-ketoesters and maintains its catalytic activity in the reuse. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.