Biomass is a widely used renewable energy source, whose
uptake
is growing due to concerns about the impact of anthropogenic fossil
fuel combustion on climate change. Waste biomass-derived fuels and
chemicals offer a partial solution to reducing global reliance on
fossil fuels in pursuit of Net Zero 2050 CO2 emissions,
in concert with environmental, health, and economic benefits. Biorefineries
aim to convert biomass resources such as forestry and agricultural
waste into diverse product streams, akin to the processing of nonrenewable
fossil fuels by petrochemical refineries. However, realizing this
ambition requires design of hydrothermally stable catalysts with tunable
redox properties and acid–base character to promote molecular
deoxygenation or the interconversion of oxygen functionalities. Perovskite
oxides of general formula ABO3 (where A = rare or alkaline
earth cations and B = transition metal cations) exhibit structural
flexibility and diverse surface chemistry; ∼90% of all metals
can be introduced to perovskite oxides. Here, we review recent developments
in the use of perovskite oxide catalysts for biomass valorization,
focusing on structure–reactivity relationships in hydroprocessing,
oxidation, steam reforming, and acid–base reactions. Prospects
and challenges for the broader application of perovskite oxide catalysts
to biomass valorization are also highlighted.