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Updated: May 7, 2026

Extraction of Lignin with High β-O-4 Content by Mild Ethanol Extraction and Its Effect on the Depolymerization Yield
Published on: January 7, 2019
Synergistic strategies for efficient lignin valorization: A review from model compounds to practical applications
Jiaqian Cui1, Junwei Tang1, Xijiao Bian1
1Hubei Provincial Key Laboratory of Green Materials for Light Industry, Hubei University of Technology, Wuhan, 430068, China.
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Lignin is the most abundant renewable aromatic polymer in nature. Efficient depolymerization and valorization of lignin are strategically important for reducing the chemical industry's reliance on fossil resources and for advancing carbon neutrality. However, the structural complexity of lignin poses major challenges to its catalytic conversion. Consequently, well-defined model compounds ranging from dimers to oligomers that precisely mimic specific lignin structural units are indispensable research tools for elucidating reaction mechanisms, screening efficient catalysts, and optimizing reaction conditions. These models have greatly enhanced the fundamental understanding of lignin conversion pathways. This review critically examines the design principles and synthesis strategies of lignin model compounds and discusses their applications in catalytic conversion research. It also offers practical guidance for developing efficient, economical, and sustainable lignin valorization processes to support the industrialization of lignin biorefineries and the pursuit of carbon neutrality.
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