Lignin is a potential non-fossil resource of diverse functionalized phenolic units. The most important lignin-derived monomers are 4-alkylphenols, 4-hydroxybenzaldehydes, 4-hydroxybenzoic acids, and 4-hydroxycinnamic acids/esters. Efficient transformation of lignin and/or its monomers into valuable aromatics and their derivatives is crucial, not only for a sustainable lignocellulose biorefinery, but also to reduce our dependence on fossil feedstocks. This review provides a concise account of the recent advances in lignocellulose fractionation/lignin depolymerization processes towards lignin-derived monomers. Subsequently, numerous potential atom-efficient catalytic routes for upgrading lignin monomers into drop-in chemicals and new polymer building blocks are discussed.

木质素是多种功能化酚单元的潜在非化石资源。木质素衍生的最重要的单体是4-烷基苯酚，4-羟基苯甲醛，4-羟基苯甲酸和4-羟基肉桂酸/酯。木质素和/或其单体有效转化为有价值的芳族化合物及其衍生物至关重要，这不仅对于可持续的木质纤维素生物精炼厂，而且对于减少我们对化石原料的依赖都是至关重要的。这篇综述简要介绍了木质纤维素分级分离/木质素解聚工艺向木质素衍生单体的最新进展。随后，讨论了许多潜在的原子效率催化途径，用于将木质素单体升级为可滴入的化学品和新的聚合物构件。