The alkylation of toluene with 1,3-pentadiene to produce pentyltoluene was carried out to obtain 2,6-dimethylnaphalene, which is an important intermediate during the production of 2,6-naphthalene dicarboxylic acid. Based on our previous work using anhydrous AlCl3 as catalyst, [bupy]BF4-AlCl3 ionic liquids were employed to catalyze the reaction of 1,3-pentadiene with toluene. The experimental results show that [bupy]BF4-AlCl3 ionic liquids are suitable for the reaction especially when the molar ratio of AlCl3 to [bupy]BF4 is 1.75 : 1, and the reaction could proceed at the temperature as low as 0 degrees C. It could be as active as pure AlCl3, but much more environmentally friendly.