Well-ordered KIT-6 mesoporous silica was synthesized via a sol-gel process and functionalized with sulfonic acid groups. The catalyst was characterized using XRD, BET, TGA, SEM, TEM and pyridine FTIR spectroscopy techniques. The prepared catalyst was used to catalyze the conversion of fructose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) in DMSO. Various reaction parameters such as effect of reaction temperature, reaction time, catalyst loading, and solvent on HMF yield were investigated. A fructose conversion of 100% and 84.1% yield of HMF was obtained at 165 degrees C after 30 min in DMSO. The reaction is quite selective toward HMF. The catalyst was used several times without significantly losing its catalytic effect. (C) 2016 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.