Glucose valorization to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) remains challenging in the transition towards renewable chemistry. Lewis acidic tungstite is a viable, moderately active catalyst for glucose dehydration to HMF. Literature reports a multistep mechanism involving Lewis acid catalyzed isomerization to fructose, which is then dehydrated to HMF by BrOnsted acid sites. Doping tungstite with titanium and niobium improves activity by optimizing the ratio between Lewis and BrOnsted acid sites. [GRAPHICS] .