An efficient process was developed for the dehydration of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) in the ionic liquid (IL) 1-butyl-3-methyl imidazolium chloride ([BMIM][Cl]) by using sulfated zirconia as catalyst. A fructose conversion of 95.8% with a 5-HMF yield of 88.4% was achieved in 30 min reaction time at 100 degrees C. The IL and sulfated zirconia could be recycled and exhibited constant activity for 6 successive trials, and 5-HMF yields of above 60% could be kept up to 10 trials. The proposed process of using an IL with sulfated zirconia solid catalyst greatly reduces the reaction temperature required over previous works for converting fructose to 5-HMF.