Catalytic Production of Value-Added Chemicals and Liquid Fuels from Lignocellulosic Biomass

One of the grand challenges in chemistry, driven by the growing concern about diminishing non-renewable fossil resources and the pressing need for environmental pollution mitigation, is to develop novel technologies for producing chemicals and fuels from renewable resources. Among various sustainable resources (e.g., solar energy, biomass, and wind), biomass is the only source of organic carbon in nature, which makes it an ideal alternative for fossil-based chemicals and fuels. However, only a few processes for biomass utilization have been realized in industrial demonstration as a result of the recalcitrance and complexity of biomass. Thus, efficient and selective catalytic systems and reaction processes are required for realizing the production of bio-chemicals and fuels from renewable lignocellulose. This review presents the latest research on catalytic systems and reaction networks in the catalytic production of value-added chemicals and liquid fuels from lignocellulosic biomass. The efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass has tremendous potential to reduce the excessive dependence on fossil fuels. Here, we provide an overview on the recent achievements in the catalytic production of value-added chemicals and fuels. When targeting chemicals, a key objective is to maximize the product selectivity to favor the subsequent separation. This can be achieved through the design of catalysts and optimization of catalytic systems based on the deep understanding of the catalytic mechanism. For production of fuels, attention should be paid to the establishment of an energy-efficient process for high-quality fuels. This can be realized through the design of C–C coupling reactions and the development of multifunctional catalysts to minimize the reaction steps from lignocellulose to fuels. In addition, the full utilization of lignocellulose into biofuels and chemicals in a single process is separately introduced. Finally, several personal perspectives on the opportunities and challenges within this promising field are discussed. The efficient utilization of lignocellulosic biomass has tremendous potential to reduce the excessive dependence on fossil fuels. Here, we provide an overview on the recent achievements in the catalytic production of value-added chemicals and fuels. When targeting chemicals, a key objective is to maximize the product selectivity to favor the subsequent separation. This can be achieved through the design of catalysts and optimization of catalytic systems based on the deep understanding of the catalytic mechanism. For production of fuels, attention should be paid to the establishment of an energy-efficient process for high-quality fuels. This can be realized through the design of C–C coupling reactions and the development of multifunctional catalysts to minimize the reaction steps from lignocellulose to fuels. In addition, the full utilization of lignocellulose into biofuels and chemicals in a single process is separately introduced. Finally, several personal perspectives on the opportunities and challenges within this promising field are discussed.