Lignin is an abundant source of renewable aromatics that has long been targeted for valorization. Traditionally, the inherent heterogeneity and reactivity of lignin has relegated it to direct combustion, but its higher energy density compared with polysaccharides makes it an ideal candidate for biofuel production. This Review critically assesses lignin’s potential as a substrate for sustainable aviation fuel blendstocks. Lignin can generate the necessary cyclic compounds for a fully renewable, sustainable aviation fuel when integrated with current paraffinic blends and can meet the current demand 2.5 times over. Using an energy-centric analysis, we show that lignin conversion technologies have the near-term potential to match the enthalpic yields of existing commercial sustainable aviation fuel production processes. Key factors influencing the viability of technologies for converting lignin to sustainable aviation fuel include lignin structure, delignification extent, depolymerization performance, and the development of stable and tunable deoxygenation catalysts.

木质素是可再生芳烃的丰富来源，长期以来一直是增值的目标。传统上，木质素固有的异质性和反应性使其只能直接燃烧，但与多糖相比，其更高的能量密度使其成为生物燃料生产的理想选择。本综述批判性地评估了木质素作为可持续航空燃料混合原料基质的潜力。当与当前的石蜡混合物结合使用时，木质素可以产生完全可再生、可持续的航空燃料所需的环状化合物，并且可以满足当前需求的 2.5 倍以上。使用以能源为中心的分析，我们表明木质素转化技术具有与现有商业可持续航空燃料生产工艺的焓产率相匹配的近期潜力。影响将木质素转化为可持续航空燃料的技术可行性的关键因素包括木质素结构、脱木素程度、解聚性能以及稳定且可调的脱氧催化剂的开发。