MgO-ZrO 2 mixed oxides prepared with different Mg/Zr atomic ratios (denoted as xMZ:w here x is the atomic ratio of Mg/Zr)are investigated for the glucose isomerization to fructose in water at 95 8C. The highest fructose yield of 33 %i so btained over 0.76MZ with % 74 %s electivity after 3h.T og ain insighti nto the structure-activity relationships, the prepared catalysts are characterizedb yN 2 physisorption, XRD, FTIR and CO 2 -TPD. The results indicate that the addition of MgO drastically changed the textual property of ZrO 2 and increased the number of basic sites. The kinetic studies revealed that the Lewis basic sites (cus-O 2À )g enerated from the highly dispersed MgO are the active sites responsible for the enhanced isomerization activity.N otably, MZ is reusable for four runs without as ignificant decrease in catalysta ctivity.A ccordingly,t his study provides an easily prepared, cheap,a nd recyclable catalystt hat may hold great potential for fructose production.[a] Dr.A .I.M.R abee, S.