Synthesis and utilisation of sugar compounds derived from lignocellulosic biomass

Lignocellulose is the most abundant non-food biomass and is used as a feedstock for the production of chemicals. Lignocellulose consists of cellulose, hemicellulose and lignin, in which the sugar polymers account for a large portion of the biomass. Sugar compounds obtained from non-food biomass can be the first platform chemicals in the biorefinery. From this viewpoint, this review article mainly deals with the catalytic synthesis and utilisation of sugar derivatives produced from cellulose and hemicellulose using various methodologies from fundamental science to practical use.