Protection Strategies Enable Selective Conversion of Biomass

Selective and economic conversion of lignocellulosic biomass components to bio-based fuels and chemicals is the major goal of biorefineries, but low yields and selectivity for fuel precursors such as sugars, furanics, and lignin-derived monomers pose significant disadvantages in process economics. In this Minireview we summarize the existing protection strategies used in biomass chemocatalytic conversion processes and focus the discussions on the mechanisms, challenges, and opportunities of each strategy. We introduce a concept of using analogous methods to manipulate biomass catalytic conversion pathways during the upgrading of carbohydrates to fuels and chemicals. This Minireview may provide new insights into the development of selective biorefining processes from a different perspective, expanding the options for selective conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals.