A ionic liquid compound of the general formula (I) wherein X represents Cl or CH 3 , Y represents -CH 2 - or -CH 2 -CH(OH)-CH 2 -, R 1 represents straight chain alkyl C1 to C18 or their mixtures, cocoamidopropyl, or straight chain C1-C18-alkylamidopropyl or their mixtures, and R 2 represents hydrogen atom or straight chain alkyl C1 to C18 or their mixtures. The compound finds use as a herbicide for plant protection.