A process is described for the preparation of water-soluble cellulose hydrolysis product. The process comprise admixing cellulose with an ionic liquid capable of solvating or dissolving at least some of the cellulose, said ionic liquid being a compound comprises solely of cations and anions and which exists in a liquid state at a temperature at or below 150° C., and in which the anions are selected from halide and cyanate; and treating the resulting solvate or solution with an acid in the presence of water, said acid having a pKa in water of less than 2 at 25° C.