Saturated water solutions of Al 2 (SO 4 ) 3 and AlCl 3 were applied as solvent/matrices for dehydration of Glc to hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Addition of oxygen ligands: methanol, ethanol, THF, furan, dibutyl ether, ethyl orthoformate and trioxane influenced the yield and selectivity, the best being observed with ethanol. When Glc and trioxane were present together in reacting solution, formation of a 4-acetylbutyrolactone was observed.