Sulfated zirconia catalysts have been prepared with zirconium (IV) hydroxide and sulfuric acid as the sources of zirconia and sulfate group, respectively. In this study, liquid-phase dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide is investigated in the presence of the catalysts under various reaction conditions including reaction temperature, time, catalyst dosage and sulfur content/acidity of the catalysts. The results show that sulfated zirconia, with high sulfur content and a tetragonal crystalline structure, is a promising solid acid catalyst that can be used at least four times in the dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide. (c) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.