Abstract: The common lignin model compounds such as simple phenolic, non-phenolic, α-O-4, β-O-4, β-1, β-5 and 5-5 types, stilbenes and dehydrogenation polymer(DHP) were reviewed in terms of their applications in lignin degradation, modification and chemical structure characterization. Lignin model compounds have determinate structure and properties, which resulted in a wide range of application in the study of lignin, and provide theoretical basis for the analysis of the chemical structure and behavior of lignin.