The use of unconventional activation techniques, such as low and high frequency ultrasound (US), in combination with heterogeneous catalysts offers a powerful synergistic approach to transform renewable resources to value added chemicals. Taking advantage of the cavitation bubbles generated during ultrasound irradiation which often acts as a micro-reactor and the localized extreme conditions of temperature and pressure, small molecules can be activated to yield highly reactive radicals that can in synergy with catalysis promote the selective conversion bio-based substrates into valuable products which are hitherto difficult to obtained under conventional routes and at mild reaction conditions. Through selected examples, we demonstrate the potential of high frequency ultrasound working in concert with catalysis in promoting the formation of relevant industrially valuable chemicals