In this study, the synthesis of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (5-HMF) from sucrose was carried out in ionic liquids 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bromide ([Emim]Br) catalyzed by amino acids, and tyrosine displays the best activity. Under the optimal reaction conditions, 76.0% yield of 5-HMF from sucrose was obtained at 160 degrees C for 4h. The uniquely effective activity of tyrosine for sucrose conversion into 5-HMF in [Emim]Br is mainly attributed to its two types of active sites, free base NH2 and dissociated H+ sites. The former one plays a crucial role in the isomerization of glucose to fructose, and the latter one is active in the hydrolysis of sucrose into monosaccharides and dehydration of generated fructose to 5-HMF. Furthermore, the presence of acidic phenol group in tyrosine also has the synergic catalytic effect on sucrose conversion. In addition, with the use of tyrosine catalyst, other carbohydrates to form 5-HMF were also tested, and the effects of solvent, reaction temperature and reaction time on sucrose conversion into 5-HMF were investigated in detail. A possible mechanism for this catalytic process has been proposed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.