In this work, a novel route to deconstruct cellulose into 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) by cascading enzymatic and chemical reactions is reported. For biocatalyst preparation, Fe3O4 nanoparticles encapsulated SBA-15 with appropriate pore size was synthesized and utilized as magnetic scaffolds for the immobilization of cellulase. For chemical catalyst preparation, sulfated zirconium dioxide conformed monolayers were grafted on SBA-15 template to create thermally robust mesoporous catalysts with tunable solid basic/Lewis acid and BrOnsted acid sites. Catalytic performance of biocatalyst and chemical catalyst was explored in the aqueous phase conversion of IL pretreated cellulose to glucose, and in the iPrOH/water solvent conversion of glucose to HMF conversion, respectively. After the optimization of reaction conditions, a sequential conversion of pretreated cellulose to glucose and glucose to HMF was performed, and 43.6% HMF yield can be obtained. The cascaded enzymatic and chemocatalytic reaction system demonstrates an effective and economically friendly process for biomass energy conservation. A novel route for green conversion of IL pretreated cellulose to 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) by cascading an enzymatic catalysis in an aqueous system with chemocatalysis in an iPrOH/water solvent mixture is reported. (C) 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers