Abstract: The recent research progress of coupling reaction of cellulose hydrolysis-hydrogenation for production of polyols was reviewed. The transformation of cellulose to polyols in different catalysis systems,i.e. three composite catalytic systems by combination of acid, hot water, and ionic liquid with the catalysis of metal hydrogenation catalyst were introduced. Their development prospects were given as well. This paper provides an important reference for the theory research and technology development of polyols generated from cellulose.