Recent advances in lignocellulose prior-fractionation for biomaterials, biochemicals, and bioenergy

•Prior-fractionation selectively converts lignocellulose into chemicals and materials.•Advanced prior-fractionations for utilization of lignocellulose were reviewed.•Lignocellulose prior-fractionation in the industry was discussed.•Challenges and prospects in the utilization of lignocellulose were provided. Due to over-consumption of fossil resources and environmental problems, lignocellulosic biomass as the most abundant and renewable materials is considered as the best candidate to produce biomaterials, biochemicals, and bioenergy, which is of strategic significance and meets the theme of Green Chemistry. Highly efficient and green fractionation of lignocellulose components significantly boosts the high-value utilization of lignocellulose and the biorefinery development. However, heterogeneity of lignocellulosic structure severely limited the lignocellulose fractionation. This paper offers the summary and perspective of the extensive investigation that aims to give insight into the lignocellulose prior-fractionation. Based on the role and structure of lignocellulose component in the plant cell wall, lignocellulose prior-fractionation can be divided into cellulose-first strategy, hemicelluloses-first strategy, and lignin-first strategy, which realizes the selective dissociation and transformation of a component in lignocellulose. Ultimately, the challenges and opportunities of lignocellulose prior-fractionation are proposed on account of the existing problems in the biorefining valorization.