Lignin Upgrading

Lignin is the most abundant aromatic carbon resource in nature. The catalytic conversion of lignin to renewable fuels, value-added chemicals, and platform compounds has been considered as a significant potential route for its valorization. However, the robustness and complexity of lignin make its efficient conversion very difficult and challenging. In this chapter, we focus on the utilization of lignin via catalytic techniques applied in the last decade and present an overview in the form of three parts. We give a brief introduction on the structure of lignin. Then, we discuss the depolymerization of lignin in detail, including acid, alkaline, reductive, and oxidative catalytic depolymerization processes. We also give a detailed discussion focusing on the upgrading lignin to hydrocarbons or phenols. Finally, a brief perspective for its development in the future to guide the development of lignin upgrading strategies is also presented.