An electrochemical cell for producing hydrogen gas and cupric chloride. The cell comprises: an anode compartment comprising an anode for disposition in an anolyte, wherein the anolyte is cuprous chloride in hydrochloric acid; a cathode compartment comprising a cathode, wherein the cathode comprises an electrocatalyst; a plurality of ion exchange membranes disposed between the anode compartment and the cathode compartment; and at least one center compartment defined by a pair of said ion exchange membranes and comprising at least one element for removal or sequestering of copper ions that cross at least one of said membranes from the anode compartment. Also described is a method for CuCl/HCl electrolysis in the production of hydrogen using the electrochemical cell.