An examination of previously reported kinetic expressions describing peroxide bleaching of wood pulp under alkaline conditions reveals that the overall process can be considered as a combination of two parallel reaction routes. The first route corresponds to a reaction involving direct participation of the perhydroxyl anion in chromophore elimination. This mechanism can be identified with the classical explanation for peroxide bleaching. The second route can be associated with reactions in which chromophores are eliminated through the action of free radical intermediate species. New experimental evidence is presented to show that processes catalysed by transition metal ions can lead to enhancement of bleaching. A two stage peroxide bleaching sequence, initially under acidic conditions in the presence of chromium, followed by alkaline conditions produces an acceleration in bleaching rate, without significant additional consumption of peroxide.