Themed collection Catalysis Science & Technology Open Access Spotlight 2025

Digital approaches will accelerate progress in the catalytic transformation of lignocellulosic biomass to chemical and fuels.

This work reviews advances in CO₂-to-DME synthesis under mild conditions, emphasizing gas and liquid-phase routes, catalyst design, and a novel methyl formate pathway, highlighting both its potential and current limitations.

The recent progresses in the ethylene conversion catalyzed by Ni-aluminosilicates, including types of catalysts depending on the support, active sites, oligomerization mechanism and kinetics and catalyst deactivation are examined in this review.

This review systematically outlines the development of photocatalytic lignin conversion, critically reviews the advantages and limitations of photocatalytic systems from the key studies, highlights key challenges and future perspectives.

The extrinsic and intrinsic factors having a crucial impact on efficient and selective electrochemical CO₂ reduction have been reviewed and discussed in this review.

Laurolactam is prepared in a one-pot reaction by uncatalyzed oxidation of cyclododecene with air and catalytic rearrangement reactions.

We present a perspective towards a green synthesis route for synthetic, catechol rich protein analogues (TCC) based via a biocatalytic activation of tyrosine dipeptides in continuous mode.

Single-molecule analysis reveals how ligand modifications synergistically control HDAC8 catalysis by stabilizing active conformations, providing mechanistic insights into ligand-regulated enzymatic catalysis.

Excited decatungstate (DT) abstracts hydrogen atoms from water with a quantum yield of ∼0.01 which means only 1 out of 100 photons absorbed yields hydroxyl radicals.

MOF-808(Hf) with grafted trialkylphosphines loaded with Pd catalyses Suzuki–Miyaura coupling of functionalised aryl boronic acids with aryl chlorides and demanding cross-couplings of electron-deficient nucleophiles.

A hierarchical heterogeneous palladium on nickel foam-based catalyst system was demonstrated for the selective hydrogenation of quinoline and quinoline derivatives under low H₂ pressures, with green solvents (ethanol, ethanol water mixture).

Proof of concept: for the first time, a bifunctional Ag/Hβ zeolite catalyst is used in the non-oxidative dehydrogenation of methanol to dimethoxymethane in the gas phase. It shows high selectivity, a dynamic Ag oxidation state and robust properties.

Heterogeneous nitrous oxide hydrogenation using molecular rhodium precatalysts.

Flaponite is a novel flavin-LAPONITE® hybrid photocatalyst with enhanced activity, easy recovery, and improved recyclability compared to flavin alone.

NO_x abatement from H₂ internal combustion engines (H₂-ICEs) is challenging due to high H₂O content and unburned H₂ in the exhaust.

Phosphate-modified CaNb₂O₆ is a highly active and reusable catalyst for xylose dehydration to furfural.

In the pursuit of a stable hydrogen evolution photosensitiser, we demonstrate the incorporation of a series of hydrogen-bond-rich guanidine-containing iridium(III) complexes into a photocatalytic system, assessed by the automated Chemspeed platform.

A facile and green photocatalytic approach to obtain highly pure α-pinene, allowing total utilization of turpentine as a biomass resource.

A cationic Cu catalyst ligated to a chiral NHC ligand, which has an (ortho-carbamoyl)phenyl group on the nitrogen atom of (S,S)-diphenylimidazolidinylidene, efficiently promoted the asymmetric [1,3]-methoxy rearrangement of N-methoxyanilines.

A recyclable catalytic system for the one-pot hydrolytic hydrogenation of xylan to xylitol has been developed.

A design strategy that optimizes surface functionalization from the metal powder precursor to the final 3D-printed self-catalytic reactors is proposed.

Ni and Cu hydroxide catalysts are compared for CO₂ electroreduction: Cu promotes C₂ products via C–C coupling, while Ni^δ+ sites enable a hydrogenation-driven route yielding trace C₃ hydrocarbons.

Advanced spectro-kinetic tools unveil the kinetics of Brønsted acid site (BAS) formation, decomposition, and reduction in WO_x/Pt inverse catalysts.

A mechanistic pathway for the formation of naphthalene species in the MTO reaction network is proposed, starting from polymethylbenzenes, formaldehyde and an olefin as reactants.

Electro-Fenton treatment of acetaminophen initiates a post-treatment cascade: degradation products p-benzoquinone and hydroquinone form quinone anion radicals that produce strongly oxidising radicals, sustaining further degradation.

Palladium is incorporated into B/Al₂O₃, creating a bifunctional catalyst that shifts the pathway from a radical-dominated to a surface-catalyzed process.

Magnetically induced heating catalysis using encapsulated magnetic nanoparticles as heating agents presents itself as a new efficient method for carrying out high-temperature reactions.

The concept of solid catalyst coated with a 1 nm layer of an ionic liquid [BMIM⁺ BF₄⁻] was employed, resulting in a 22-fold increase in β(Z)-selectivity for Rh(I)- and Rh(III)-complexes based on N- and O-chelating N-heterocyclic carbenes (NHCs).

Cytochrome P450 cinnamate 4-hydroxylase (C4H) is a pivotal enzyme in the phenylpropanoid pathway, playing a critical role in regulating lignin biosynthesis in plants.

5 wt% Ni catalysts over Ce_1−xTi_xO_2−δ supports with controlled Ti dopant composition were synthesized. Ti doping can promote the reducibility of ceria and influence the formation of Ni species (NiO and NiTiO₃) and their catalytic performance.

The advancement of electrified chemical processes prompts interest in novel technologies such as plasma-based methane (CH₄) conversion into high-demand chemicals.

The selective conversion of biomass-derived 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HDO) is a promising pathway for sustainable production of chemicals from renewable feedstock.

We report an unprecedented 1,2-boron migratory carbonylation enabled by visible-light photoredox catalysis.

Structure–activity relationships for CO₂ electroreduction with Cu₂O catalysts with highly dispersed Au, Au–Cu alloys and Au clusters were investigated using advanced in situ characterization techniques.

Palladium complexes with symmetric N,N-bidentate bis(pyridinium amidate) ligands catalyze the olefin polymerization already at mild conditions, when the pyridinium site is ortho,ortho-dimethylated. The carbonyl groups engage in metal coordination.

Single-atom Mn sites on MOF-808 catalyze sarin simulant degradation under solid, unbuffered conditions. Spectroscopic and computational results show altered product binding that mitigates poisoning and sustains reactivity.

Ball milling or kneading of polypropylene with zeolite enforces contact during mechano-chemical recycling. Zeolite instability and low impact efficiency can be addressed by attaching zeolite to spheres to create surface-activated mechano-catalysts.

Au–Pd core–shell nanoparticles outperform monometallic and alloyed counterparts in the liquid-phase selective hydrogenation of MBY.

In this work, we have expanded our recently published combined density functional theory (DFT) – Monte Carlo (MC) approach to model supported Co nanoparticles (NPs) to include the effects of Co–CO interactions.

Mn(Br)(P-OP)(CO)₃ complexes based on low donor phosphine–phosphite ligands provide effective catalysts for the hydrogenation of carbonyl substrates under mild conditions.

New fluorinated molecular precursors in the sol–gel process allow better control of fluorination and, therefore, precise tuning of the surface and acid properties of F-doped TiO₂ nanocatalysts.

A combined experimental and theoretical study reveals La₂CuO₄ as a promising catalyst for the electrooxidation of methanol.

A new 3D Zn-based MOF, Zn-(D-GluBenz), featuring pendant –COOH and –NH moieties as synergistic hydrogen bond donor (HBD) sites is reported for efficient heterogeneous Friedel–Crafts alkylation of indoles with β-nitrostyrenes under milder conditions.

Extensive research in heterogeneous catalysis has highlighted the potential of non-noble metal catalysts for efficient alkane dehydrogenation.

In dry reforming of methane (DRM), the canonical BEP linear relation fails. We establish a nonlinear correlation, uncover its physical origin, and quantify consequences for microkinetic predictions and dopant screening.

RhO_x/TiO₂–Pt photocatalyst demonstrated effective activity for the dehydrogenation of a range of alcohols under visible light irradiation.

Nanostructured NiO electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction, fabricated for the first time by plasma enhanced-chemical vapor deposition, offer attractive performances, tunable as a function of morphology and composition.

A sulfonated carbon catalyst was rapidly synthesized via a one-pot microwave method, achieving >90% biodiesel conversion under mild conditions.

Selective oxidation reactions can be a useful tool in the generation of metabolites of bioactive compounds for analytical and toxicology studies.

Two molecular rectangles of a new primary amide-based ligand, made from a one-pot self-assembly route under ambient conditions, are found to be excellent recyclable heterogeneous catalysts for the synthesis of various coumarin-3-carboxylic acids.

Single-atom tungsten catalysts (W_SAC/SDA) enable selective oligomerization of isobutene to branched hydrocarbons (diisobutenes), highlighting their catalytic potential in the production of reformulated gasoline and fuel additives.

Heterometallic cooperativity can improve catalyst performance in lactide polymerisation, yet some heterocombinations do not cooperate. This work shows how the metal roles change with different heterocombinations, affecting polymerisation efficiency.

Bamboo activated carbon in bed-packed column flow system.

Two isomeric PSMAs were synthesized for photocatalytic hydrogen production, and PY-α-CPTCN possesses enhanced intramolecular π-conjugation, leading to superior light absorption and charge transport, thus achieving a higher hydrogen evolution rate.

Compared to the Pd_NP/α-Al₂O₃ catalyst, the Pd₁/(ZnMn₂O₄@MnO₂) (Pd₁/ZMO) catalyst exhibits significantly reduced noble metal loading from 1 wt% to 0.25 wt%, while increasing the mass activity by 4 times for the CO esterification to methyl formate.

A stable, defect-rich peroxo-TiO₂ photocatalyst with low bandgap and high S_BET (>380 m² g⁻¹) shows high solar photocatalytic activity and regeneration.

The use of heterogeneous photocatalysts to degrade hard-to-remove pharmaceuticals from polluted water offers a promising approach for efficient water treatment and hydrogen generation.

Niobium oxide dispersed on high-surface-area graphite was evaluated for 1-butanol dehydration. The synthesis method governs Nb dispersion, structure and stability: deposition–precipitation yields highly selective (≥90% C4 olefins), stable catalysts.

The need for sustainable hydrogen production has driven the search for efficient, earth-abundant catalysts.

An innovative SiO₂–[PEIH]_x[POM] nanocatalyst efficiently converts fructose to HMF and oxidizes HMF to DFF, achieving a high TON of 1720 via a sustainable pathway.

Although Cu-catalyzed click reactions are widely reported with high efficiency and faster rates, their limited scope in pharmacological use has prompted growing interest and new advances in developing metal-free click chemistry in recent years.

La_cus sites on defective La₂O₃ catalyze propane dehydrogenation but deactivate due to strong propene adsorption. In situ decoration of La_cus sites with H₂ forms new sites, weakens adsorption, and improves catalyst stability and selectivity.

Electronic tuning of the para-R group of the Ni precatalyst allows a means to regulate the branching density and the M_w of the PE. The E_1/2 value of the precatalyst has been used as a quantitative descriptor of this electronic effect.

The pretreatment of carbon support in Pd catalysts has a marked effect on final performance in the solvent free oxidation of benzyl alcohol, due to the introduction of oxygen functionality and subsequent increased dispersion of active metal.

In this study, the role of the base in CO₂ hydrogenation to formate over a Ru^(III)@MCM catalyst is investigated by evaluating the influence of key reaction parameters, including temperature, pressure, pH, solvent, and amine type.

Local confinement of the active site, estimated by CO bite angle from CO-DRIFTS, directs hydroformylation of ethylene over phosphonic acid modified Rh₁/TiO₂ catalysts.

Propane oxidative dehydrogenation with CO₂ is key for on-purpose propene production. V/CHA zeolites emerge as candidates. Insights into catalytic performance using box-and-whisker plots support data representation for catalyst design.

For limonene oxide isomerization to dihydrocarvone, the relationship between catalyst acid strength and activity as well as selectivity is demonstrated.

This study examines fructose dehydration to HMF over hydrothermally synthesized SrNb₂O₆, yielding 74.9% HMF (78.5% selectivity) via optimal acidity. The catalyst showed good recyclability, retaining stability over six runs with minor activity loss.

SO₂ sensitivity (the loss of catalyst per mol SO₂ taken up by the catalyst) is proposed as a measure for the deactivation for Cu-CHA catalysts under SCR conditions.