ZSM-5 zeolite as a promising catalyst for the preparation and upgrading of lignocellulosic biomass-derived chemicals

The use of zeolite catalysts for biomass valorization has increasingly contributed to the development of more efficient and sustainable processes in recent times. ZSM-5 zeolites, in special, have displayed great potential as catalysts in such reactions owing to their promising features e.g. the tridimensional medium size pore system and the wide Si/Al ratio. Considering these facts, in this review we provide an outline of lignocellulosic biomass upgrading processes using ZSM-5 zeolites in their acidic form and exchanged with transition metals; we will cover not only the direct conversion of lignocellulosic biomass, but also the upgrading of its derivatives.