The present disclosure describes processes for producing cyclohexenes using Lewis acidic ionic liquids comprising the steps of providing to a reactor an α,β-unsaturated carbonyl dienophile, providing to the reactor a 1,3-diene, providing a Lewis acidic ionic liquid to the reactor; and reacting the α,β-unsaturated carbonyl dienophile with 1,3-diene to form a substituted cyclohexene product. The α,β-unsaturated carbonyl dienophile can be mesityl oxide, the 1,3-diene can be piperylene; and the Lewis acidic ionic liquid can be AlCl3:[C2mim]Cl; AlCl3:[C8mim]Cl; or mixtures thereof.