Abstract Lignin is one of the largest sources of naturally occurring aromatic building blocks that possess immense potential to be employed as starting material for the production of value-added chemicals involving biofuels. Despite various challenges associated with lignin valorization, several strategies have emerged that could deliver value-added products in good yields. The present contribution aims to critically review recent advancements in biological, thermochemical and electrochemical strategies for lignin depolymerization mainly focusing on enzymatic, acid/base/metal-catalyzed, and microwave-assisted degradation approaches. All lignin degradation strategies result in the production of an arsenal of several monomeric, oligomeric and polymeric compounds, with no single molecule being produced in significant amount. For large-scale production of biofuels and other value-added chemicals via lignin depolymerization, the combination of two or more technologies with low cost and recyclable catalysts operating at mild reaction conditions needs to be explored.

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木质素解聚技术进展

摘要 木质素是天然存在的芳香族结构单元的最大来源之一，具有用作生产涉及生物燃料的增值化学品的起始材料的巨大潜力。尽管存在与木质素增值相关的各种挑战，但已经出现了几种可以提供高产率的增值产品的策略。目前的贡献旨在批判性地审查木质素解聚的生物、热化学和电化学策略的最新进展，主要侧重于酶促、酸/碱/金属催化和微波辅助降解方法。所有木质素降解策略都会导致产生多种单体、低聚和聚合化合物的库，而没有大量产生单个分子。