Metal (IV) phosphates of tin, zirconium and titanium were used as catalysts for selective dehydration of sorbitol to isosorbide. Tin phosphate showed the highest selectivity to isosorbide with a moderate conversion. The deactivation rates of catalysts were fitted by an empirical Voorhies equation and the results showed tin phosphate had the lowest deactivation rate with the least values of m and n. Thermal analysis showed deactivation rate was in accordance with coke deposition. The acidity caused by functional groups of the catalysts was the direct factor for catalyst lifetime, which was evidenced by NH3-TPD, XRD, IR and Raman characterizations.