ABSTRACT. The synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from sucrose was investigated in the presence of the Brönsted-Lewis acidic ionic liquids (ILs). It was concluded that IL 1-(3-sulfonic acid)-propyl-3-methylimidazole chlorochrominate [HO3S-(CH2)3-mim]Cl-CrCl3 (molar fraction of CrCl3 x = 0.55) had a good catalytic performance with 78.8% yield of HMF. The acid type of IL played a significant role in the reaction. Lewis acid site acted more effectively than its Brönsted counterpart and a synergetic effect of Brönsted and Lewis acid sites enhanced the IL catalytic performance. The reusability of IL was good.