Despite the steady deterioration of fossil resources, demand for petroleum-based chemicals and materials is progressively rising. Lignocellulosic biomass is the most abundant and bio-renewable source on earth, having the potential as an alternative to fossil resources. Nevertheless, lignocellulosic biomass is a promising feedstock for renewable chemistry research and for biorefineries. Valorization of biomass to platform chemicals and fuels is an emerging topic and is seen growing exponentially in the past decades. In this regard, catalytic upgradation of biomass is shown as a rapid and intensified process in contrast to other conventional and thermochemical treatments. This chapter highlights several catalytic approaches, e.g. oxidation and hydrogenation of biomass-derived molecules to gluconic acid, 5-hydroxymethyl furfural, xylitol, and biofuels using supported metal nanoparticles and metal complexes as catalysts. Furthermore, this chapter is providing an overview of the pre-treatment of raw biomass and its applications while using supported metal oxides, porous organic polymers, mesoporous silica, and carbon nano materials as catalysts, having applications for biomass conversion in the liquid phase. We hope that this contribution could be significant for those who are working on the pre-treatment of woody biomass and its catalytic applications in a greener pathway.