Highlights•New monomers have been discovered, and structural aspects of the lignin
polymer have been refined.•The definition of a lignin monomer has been broadened.• …

Highlights•To date, metabolites from more than 10 different metabolic classes have been
identified as lignin building blocks, totaling 35 monomers.•Despite this flexibility, limitations …

In pursuit of more sustainable and competitive biorefineries, the effective valorisation of
lignin is key. An alluring opportunity is the exploitation of lignin as a resource for chemicals …

Lignin is a primary component of lignocellulosic biomass and an underutilized feedstock in
the growing pulping and biofuel industries. Currently, over 50 million tons of industrial lignin …

Lignin is an abundant biopolymer with a high carbon content and high aromaticity. Despite
its potential as a raw material for the fuel and chemical industries, lignin remains the most …

During the past decade, a growing scientific community is eagerly seeking for effective lignin
valorisation approaches. Thought-out utilisation of the world's most abundant resource of bio …

Lignin is conventionally defined as being formed by the oxidative polymerization of three
main monolignols, p-coumaryl alcohol, coniferyl alcohol, and sinapyl alcohol, that are …

Background Lignin, nature's dominant aromatic polymer, is found in most terrestrial plants in
the approximate range of 15 to 40% dry weight and provides structural integrity …

Reductive catalytic fractionation (RCF) of lignocellulose is an emerging biorefinery scheme
that combines biomass fractionation with lignin depolymerisation. Central to this scheme is …

Highlights•Hemicelluloses can interact with lignin through covalent cross-links in plant cell
walls.•Different reaction mechanisms can lead to cross-linking using diverse hemicellulose …