The obtaining of aldehydes or ketones through oxidative cleavage of vicinal diols requires the use of a catalyst.In this work we present the positive effects of ionic liquids in the homogeneous oxidative cleavage of ethylenglycol, pinacol, benzopinacol and hydrobenzoin, catalyzed by Mn(salen) complexes.The catalyst dissolved in ionic liquids allows high efficiency (yield up to 99% with air as oxidant), low environmental impact and, in addition, it is possible to recycle.In order to understand the role of the catalyst and of the ionic liquids, DFT studies were performed and a possible catalytic cycle is presented.