Abstract: A low temperature molten ionic liquid composition comprising a mixture of a metal halide and an alkyl-containing amine hydrohalide salt is described which is useful as a catalyst and a solvent in alkylation, arylation and polymerization reactions or as an electrolyte for batteries. The metal halide is a covalently bonded metal halide which can contain a metal selected from the group comprised of aluminum, gallium, iron, copper, zinc, and indium, and is most preferably aluminum trichloride. The alkyl-containing amine hydrohalide salt may contain up to three alkyl groups, which are preferably lower alkyl, such as methyl and ethyl.