The dehydration of carbohydrates to produce 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in the presence of tin salt and hydrogen phosphate is examined. The precipitate freshly formed from SnCl(4)and (NH4)(2)HPO4 shows a good performance in a water-dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) mixed solvent. The highest HMF yield achieves 71% at 135 degrees C for 1 h. The tin valence number, the type of phosphate and the molar ratio of Sn/PO4 affect the yield of HMF. In addition, the reaction time, temperature and water to DMSO ratio also influence the yield. Glucose and sucrose as the reactant are compared, and the reaction pathways are discussed. (C) 2015 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.