The pyrolysis or depolymerization of lignin can obtain lignin-derived phenols such as phenol, methoxyphenol and guaiacol.These lignin-derived phenols can be converted into liquid fuels after further hydrodeoxygenation（HDO） reaction. Aiming at the HDO reaction of lignin-derived phenols, the reaction mechanisms under liquid phase and vapor phase conditions were compared and analyzed, and the influences of reaction conditions on the reaction mechanisms were summarized firstly. Then the catalytic performances of noble metal, non-precious metal and bimetallic catalysts in vapor phase HDO reaction were reviewed. Finally, it is pointed out that Fe-based noble metal catalysts have good development potential in vapor phase hydrodeoxygenation.