Efficient hydrolytic depolymerization of crystalline cellulose to sugars is a critical step and has been a major barrier for improved economics in the utilization of cellulosic biomass. A novel catalytic system involving CuCl2 (primary metal chloride) paired with a second metal chloride, such as CrCl2, PdCl2, CrCl3 or FeCl3 in 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([EMIM]Cl) ionic liquid solvent has been found to substantially accelerate the rate of cellulose depolymerization under mild conditions. These paired metal chlorides are particularly active for the hydrolytic cleavage of 1,4-glucosidic bonds when compared to the rates of acid-catalyzed hydrolysis at similar temperatures (80-120 degrees C). In contrast, single metal chlorides with the same total molar loading showed much lower activity under similar conditions. Experimental results illustrate the dramatic effect of the second metal chloride in the paired catalytic system. An array of characterization techniques, including electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), X-ray absorption fine structure (XAFS) spectroscopy, and X-ray absorption near edge structure (XANES) spectroscopy, in combination with theoretical calculations at the DFT level, was used to reveal a preliminary understanding of possible mechanisms involved in the paired CuCl2/PdCl2 catalytic system. We discovered that Cu(II) was reduced during the course of the reaction to Cu(I) only in the presence of a second metal chloride and a carbohydrate source such as cellulose in the ionic liquid system. Our results suggest that Cu(II) generates protons by hydrolysis of water to catalyze the depolymerization step, and serves to regenerate Pd(II) reduced to Pd(0) by side reactions. Pd(II) likely facilitates the depolymerization step by coordinating the catalytic protons, and also promotes the formation of hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF). Our results also suggest that the C2-proton of the imidazolium ring is not activated by the paired metal-chloride catalysts. (C) 2010 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.