An efficient, zirconium-catalyzed conversion of unprotected aldose sugars with acetylacetone to polyhydroxyalkyl furans or C-glycosylfurans is reported. The furan products are formed in up to 93% yield using 5-10 mol % ZrCl4. Pentoses are readily converted at room temperature, while hexoses and their oligosaccharides require mild heating (i.e., 50 °C). Efficient conversions of glycolaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, erythrose, a heptose, and glucosamine are also demonstrated. This approach outpaces each of the previous Lewis acid-catalyzed methods in at least one the following ways: (i) lower catalyst loadings; (ii) reduced reaction temperatures; (iii) shorter reaction times; (iv) equimolar substrate stoichiometry; (v) expanded sugar scope; (vi) higher selectivities; and (vii) the use of an Earth-abundant Zr catalyst.