Methyl glycolate (MG) was synthesized as a precursor to ethylene glycol from the catalytic carbonylation of formaldehyde followed by esterification with methanol by using metal-free, efficient and recyclable SO3H-functionalized ionic liquids (BAILs) as catalysts. Among the studied BAILs, N-butyl-N-(3-sulfonylpropyl) thiomorpholine-1,1-dioxide triflate showed excellent activity and MG selectivity. The effects of reaction parameters such as reactant, solvent, catalyst loading, molar ratio of H2O to H2CO, temperature, pressure, and reaction time were studied. MG was obtained in high yield under mild conditions. At 160 degrees C, 5.0 MPa, and reactant mole ratio of BAIL: H2CO:H2O = 1:40: 80, 98 % conversion of formaldehyde was achieved with 94 % selectivities of MG. Catalysts did not show any significant deterioration in performance in repeated use up to eight batches.