The activity and stability of lipase from Candida antarctica were investigated in the kinetic resolution of (R,S)-1-phenylethanol with vinyl acetate using ionic liquids (ILs) as reaction media. Among ILs tested, the highest activity of lipase was observed in [Edmim][Tf2N]. In hydrophobic ILs such as [Edmim][Tf2N], [Emim][Tf2N] and [Pmim] [PF6], lipase could retain its activity after 5 times reuse, while the activity of lipase in hydrophilic ILs and organic solvents was drastically decreased. The activities of lipase in [Edmim][Tf2N], [Emim][Tf2N] and [Pmim][PF6] were also well maintained after 1 day incubation at 80 ℃. The lipase suspended in [Edmim][Tf2N] could be successfully reused 6 times without loss of activity.