Under microwave irradiation, concentrated fructose (33-92 wt%) in ionic liquids afforded 5-hydroxymethylfurfural in ca. 97-57% yields without addition of catalysts, within 3 min. In-situ C-13 NMR and H-1 NMR spectra suggest that the transformation of fructose in ionic liquid is a highly selective reaction that proceeds predominantly via the cyclic fructofuransyl intermediate. This method is expected to be valuable in facilitating cost-effective conversion of carbohydrates into biofuels and platform chemicals. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.