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15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis

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A special issue of Catalysts (ISSN 2073-4344). This special issue belongs to the section "Catalysis in Organic and Polymer Chemistry".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 20 October 2026 | Viewed by 11667

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Editors

Prof. Dr. Kotohiro Nomura

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Department of Chemistry, Graduate School of Science, Tokyo Metropolitan University (TMU), 1-1 Minami Osawa, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan
Interests: catalysis; organometallic chemistry; polymer chemistry
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Dr. Mário Manuel Quialheiro Simões

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LAQV-Requimte, Department of Chemistry, University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: catalysis; green chemistry; metalloporphyrins; MOFs; zeolites
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Dr. Werner Oberhauser

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Istituto di Chimica dei Composti Organometallici (CNR-ICCOM), Via Madonna del Piano 10, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
Interests: synthesis of heterogenous catalysts for hydrogenation and aerobic oxidation reactions; characterization of nanostructured material by X-ray diffraction
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Prof. Dr. Raffaella Mancuso

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Department of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Calabria, Via Pietro Bucci 12/C, 87036 Arcavacata di Rende, CS, Italy
Interests: carbonylation; catalysis; heterocycles; materials; organic synthesis
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Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

We are thrilled to invite you to contribute to an upcoming Special Issue celebrating the 15th Anniversary of Catalysts! As we mark this significant milestone, we are particularly focused on the pivotal role that catalysis will play in sustainability and green chemistry in the coming decades. This Special Issue, organized by members of the Catalysts Editorial Board, will highlight advancements in catalysis that directly address global environmental challenges. We welcome manuscripts that explore innovative catalytic solutions for a more sustainable future, including, but not limited to, eco-friendly catalytic processes for efficient and waste-reducing synthesis, novel catalysts for renewable energy production and storage, sustainable polymerization techniques and the development of circular polymers, mechanistic insights into catalytic reactions, catalysis for pollution prevention and remediation, and bio-inspired and biocatalytic approaches for sustainable chemical transformations. To achieve the widest possible impact, we strongly encourage submissions from a diverse array of authors. We also invite you to reach out to colleagues and collaborators who are leaders in these critical areas. We look forward to receiving your contributions and jointly shaping the future of catalysis to create a healthier planet.

Prof. Dr. Kotohiro Nomura
Dr. Mário Manuel Quialheiro Simões
Dr. Werner Oberhauser
Prof. Dr. Raffaella Mancuso
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-anonymized peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Catalysts is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2200 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

catalysis
sustainability
organic chemistry
polymer chemistry
green chemistry

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Published Papers (10 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 3083 KB

Open AccessArticle

Experimental and Theoretical Studies on the Polymerization of Isobutylene Using the GaCl₃-Based Catalytic System

by Xinyi Yang, Xindi Feng, Jiongyi Chen, Youcai Zhu and Zhen Liu

Catalysts 2026, 16(7), 574; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16070574 - 23 Jun 2026

Viewed by 330

Abstract

This work investigates a novel GaCl₃·AlCl₃/H₂O catalytic system for the synthesis of low-molecular weight polyisobutylene (LPIB). Catalytic performance was improved by employing a dual Lewis acid system, which outperformed the conventional single component (GaCl₃/H₂O) catalyst in terms of both reaction rate and yield. In accordance with the optimized reaction conditions, the conversion of monomer was found to be 97%, thereby achieving low molecular weight polyisobutylene (LPIB) with a number average molecular weight (M_n) of 3900 g/mol. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations revealed a lower proton transfer barrier (5.8 kcal/mol) in the dual Lewis acid catalytic structure compared to its single component counterpart. Subsequent theoretical analyses, incorporating electrostatic potential (ESP), independent gradient model based on Hirshfeld partition (IGMH), and distortion/interaction analysis, attributed this observed kinetic advantage to a higher positive ESP extremum and enhanced interaction between the IB fragment and the Lewis-acidic active center. Together, these results establish the GaCl₃·AlCl₃/H₂O dual Lewis acid system as an enhanced catalytic platform over the conventional GaCl₃/H₂O system for efficient IB polymerization toward LPIB synthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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10 pages, 1082 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Exploring β-Myrcene Incorporation in Propene Copolymerization Using Half-Titanocene Catalysts

by Kantarattana Paramanurak, Adriano Vignali, Benedetta Palucci, Fabio Bertini, Kotohiro Nomura and Simona Losio

Catalysts 2026, 16(5), 453; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16050453 - 13 May 2026

Viewed by 609

Abstract

The development of polyolefin from bio-renewables has been considered an important subject in terms of circular economy. In this study, exploring the possibility of β-myrcene (MY) incorporation in propene copolymerization has been studied in the presence of various catalysts: phenoxide-modified half-titanocene, Cp’TiCl₂(O-2,6-ⁱPr₂-4-C₆H₃) [Cp’ = Cp* (C₅Me₅), Me₃SiC₅H₄], and ketimide-modified half-titanicene, Cp’TiCl₂(N=C^tBu₂) (Cp’ = Cp*, Cp). Among the complexes tested, the permethylated Cp* catalysts, Cp*TiCl₂(O-2,6-ⁱPr₂-4-C₆H₃) and Cp*TiCl₂(N=C^tBu₂), exhibited moderate catalytic activities in the copolymerizations, affording the copolymers up to 3 mol% MY incorporation. The other catalysts showed negligible activity in the attempted copolymerizations. The resulting copolymers were amorphous and possessed sole glass transition temperatures (T_g), suggesting uniform compositions; the T_g values decreased with increasing comonomer (MY) content, reaching values as low as −17 °C. The results introduce valuable insights into the structure–property relationships of myrcene-based copolymers and pave the way for the future designs of tailored molecular catalysts for the synthesis of biobased elastomers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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19 pages, 3318 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Alkali Metal-Promoted Au/TS-1 Bifunctional Catalyst for Highly Efficient and Stable Gas-Phase Propylene Epoxidation with H₂ and O₂ via In Situ-Generated H₂O₂

by Ziyan Mi, Huayun Long, Yuhua Jia, Yue Ma, Cuilan Miao, Yan Xie, Xiaomei Zhu and Jiahui Huang

Catalysts 2026, 16(5), 417; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16050417 - 2 May 2026

Viewed by 573

Abstract

Developing effective catalysts for the epoxidation of propylene with H₂ and O₂ holds significant scientific and industrial significance. This study synthesized a series of Au/TS-1 catalysts modified with alkali metals (Na⁺, Cs⁺) and carefully examined their impact on gas-phase propylene epoxidation, with particular attention to the role of anions. The optimal Au–CsC(1:10)/TS-1 catalyst (Cs₂CO₃ modified, Au/Cs molar ratio = 1:10) achieves a propylene conversion of 16.8%, a PO selectivity of 88.5%, an H₂ efficiency of 40.8%, a record PO formation rate of 383.9 g_po·kg_cat⁻¹·h⁻¹, and unprecedented long term stability (>380 h without deactivation). To the best of our knowledge, no previous study has simultaneously achieved such balanced and outstanding performance across all these key indicators. Comprehensive characterization reveals that Cs⁺ modification suppresses side reactions and coke formation, increases microporosity, tunes surface acid–base properties and hydrophobicity, restricts Au particle size, and stabilizes both Au⁰ and tetra coordinated Ti sites, thereby inhibiting H₂O₂ decomposition and PO isomerization while greatly enhancing reaction efficiency. This holistic advancement represents a significant leap forward for Au based catalysts in gas phase propylene epoxidation, offering both a theoretical foundation and practical guidance for the development of high performance epoxidation catalysts. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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21 pages, 3893 KB

Open AccessArticle

Microwave-Assisted Synthesis of 1,4-Dihydropyridines via the Hantzsch Reaction Using a Recyclable HPW/PEG-400 Catalytic System

by Wender Alves Silva, Sayuri Cristina Santos Takada, Claudia Cristina Gatto and Izabella Vitoria Maravalho

Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 96; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010096 - 17 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1784

Abstract

1,4-Dihydropyridines (1,4-DHPs) are privileged heterocycles with broad relevance in medicinal chemistry and redox-related applications. However, conventional Hantzsch syntheses typically require prolonged thermal heating and often suffer from limited efficiency and regioselectivity. Herein, we report a sustainable and efficient microwave-assisted protocol for the synthesis of 1,4-DHPs, employing phosphotungstic acid (HPW) as a heteropolyacid catalyst in PEG-400 as a green reaction medium. The multicomponent cyclocondensation proceeds rapidly under microwave irradiation, affording the desired 1,4-DHP derivatives in good to excellent yields within short reaction times. Compared with classical acid-catalyzed conditions, the HPW/PEG-400 system markedly enhances regioselectivity toward the 1,4-DHP framework while simultaneously reducing energy input. Moreover, the catalytic system exhibits good recyclability, underscoring its potential as a practical and environmentally responsible platform for the synthesis of bioactive 1,4-dihydropyridine scaffolds. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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15 pages, 4358 KB

Open AccessArticle

Catalytic Activity of Electroexplosive Cobalt Nanopowder in Hydrocarbon Synthesis by the Fischer–Tropsch Method

by Evgeniy Popok, Egor Grushetsky, Yana Morozova, Ilya Bogdanov, Maria Kirgina and Andrei Mostovshchikov

Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 91; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010091 - 13 Jan 2026

Viewed by 1135

Abstract

The study aims to develop a method for obtaining a high-performance catalyst for the synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons using the Fischer–Tropsch method based on ultradisperse cobalt powders obtained by the electric explosion method. To determine the catalytic activity of the obtained catalyst samples, the main process parameters, like temperature in the catalyst bed, the process pressure, the feedstock space velocity, and the ratio of reagents in the synthesis gas, were varied. It has been established that highly dispersed cobalt powder obtained by the electrical explosion method is a fairly active catalyst for the synthesis of liquid hydrocarbons via the Fischer–Tropsch process. It has been established that the overall CO conversion rate in the temperature range from 230 to 330 °C ranges from 25 to 90%. However, the formation of the main byproduct of the synthesis, carbon dioxide, is not observed below 270 °C. It was determined that for the developed catalyst sample, the optimal temperature range is from 230 to 260 °C, in which the yield of by-products of synthesis and gaseous hydrocarbons is quite low—the selectivity for methane does not exceed 20%, with the proportion of C₅₊ hydrocarbons in the liquid phase at the level of 80%. The CO conversion rate increases proportionally with growing pressure. It has been established that cobalt nanopowder exhibits high catalytic activity in reactions of liquid hydrocarbon formation with low hydrogen content in the initial synthesis gas. This fact allows us to conclude that it has potential for use in processing gases obtained during the pyrolysis of biomass or other non-traditional sources of synthesis gas, characterized by an H₂:CO ratio of 1:1 to 1.25:1. Catalysts obtained from ultradisperse cobalt powders were shown to be resistant to rapid deactivation under synthesis conditions at operating temperatures for 30 h. During long-term testing, CO conversion remained at 23.5% at 230 °C for the entire duration of the experiment. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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13 pages, 1639 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Selective Production of Hydrogen and Lactate from Glycerol Dehydrogenation Catalyzed by a Ruthenium PN³P Pincer Complex

by Saikat Pal, Sylwia Kostera, Gabriele Manca and Luca Gonsalvi

Catalysts 2026, 16(1), 48; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16010048 - 2 Jan 2026

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1244

Abstract

In the quest for cheap and abundant feedstocks for sustainable hydrogen production, glycerol is emerging as a cost-effective, promising liquid organic hydrogen-rich carrier (LOHC) that can be catalytically activated to produce hydrogen alongside valuable organic products. Selective catalytic acceptorless dehydrogenation of glycerol to lactate and hydrogen gas was achieved with a maximum turnover number (TON_max) of ca. 1600, using a pincer-type ruthenium(II) complex bearing a bis(aminophosphine)pyridine PN³P ligand as a homogeneous catalyst under moderate reaction conditions (24 h, 140 °C) in the presence of KOH as base. NMR experiments and DFT calculations provided insights into key steps of the catalytic process and the energetics of the proposed reaction pathway. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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15 pages, 2042 KB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Bi-Dentate Pyridyl Amine-Derived Complexes of Aluminium: Synthesis, Structure and ROP Capability

by Shunsuke Sato, Ignas Motuzis, Mark R. J. Elsegood, Kotohiro Nomura and Carl Redshaw

Catalysts 2025, 15(12), 1119; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15121119 - 1 Dec 2025

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 906

Abstract

The pyridylamines 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃NHCR₂-C₅H₅H-2 (R = H, L¹H; Me, L²H) on treatment with Me₃Al (one equivalent) afforded the complexes [Al(Me)₂(L¹)] (1 [...] Read more.

The pyridylamines 2,6-Me₂C₆H₃NHCR₂-C₅H₅H-2 (R = H, L¹H; Me, L²H) on treatment with Me₃Al (one equivalent) afforded the complexes [Al(Me)₂(L¹)] (1) and [Al(Me)₂L²] (2), respectively. Use of excess L¹H led to [Al(Me)(L¹)₂] (3). The molecular structures of 1–3 are reported, and the three complexes, as well as the parent compounds L¹H and L²H, have been screened, in the presence of benzyl alcohol (BnOH), as catalysts for the ring opening polymerization (ROP) of ε-caprolactone and δ-valerolactone. Results revealed that these ROPs proceed in a controlled nature (Đ ≤ 1.33 for ε-CL and ≤1.48 for δ-VL) in the process without catalyst deactivation, whilst the products formed were predominantly linear with OBn/OH end groups; L¹H and L²H exhibited little or no activity. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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15 pages, 2832 KB

Open AccessEditor’s ChoiceArticle

Halloysite@Polydopamine Nanoplatform for Ultrasmall Pd and Cu Nanoparticles: Suitable Catalysts for Hydrogenation and Reduction Reactions

by Marina Massaro, Chiara D’Acunzi, Stefano Paganelli, Maria Laura Alfieri, Leonarda F. Liotta, Alberto Lopez-Galindo, Raquel de Melo Barbosa, Oreste Piccolo, Rita Sánchez-Espejo, César Viseras and Serena Riela

Catalysts 2025, 15(11), 1029; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15111029 - 1 Nov 2025

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1191

Abstract

The design of sustainable nanomaterials for catalysis is a key challenge in green chemistry. Herein, we report the synthesis of halloysite nanotube (Hal)-based nanomaterials selectively functionalized with a bio-inspired polydopamine (PDA) coating, which enables the controlled anchoring of palladium and copper nanoparticles (PdNPs and CuNPs). This mild and ecofriendly strategy yields highly dispersed and ultrasmall (<5 nm) metal nanoparticles without the need for surfactants or harsh reagents. The resulting materials, Hal@PDA/PdNPs and Hal@PDA/CuNPs, were evaluated in two well-established model reactions commonly employed to probe catalytic performance: cinnamaldehyde hydrogenation and 4-nitrophenol reduction. Hal@PDA/PdNPs displayed complete conversion and >90% selectivity toward hydrocinnamaldehyde at low Pd loading (0.8 wt%) and maintained its efficiency over six catalytic cycles (TOF up to 0.1 s⁻¹), while Hal@PDA/CuNPs retained high activity through eight consecutive runs in the reduction of 4-nitrophenol. Hal@PDA/CuNPs proved to be an excellent recyclable catalyst for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol, retaining high activity through eight consecutive runs. Overall, this study introduces a robust and modular approach to fabricating halloysite-based nanocatalysts, demonstrating their potential as green platforms for metal nanoparticle-mediated transformation. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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Review

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33 pages, 3900 KB

Open AccessReview

Sustainable Ammonia Production, Advances in Electrochemical, Photoelectrochemical, and Photocatalytic Technologies for Green Energy

by Musarat Shahin, Abdul Haseeb Mohsin, Aiman Bibi, Ihtisham Ahmad, Elif Esra Altuner, Ozan Aldemir, Senol Durmusoglu, Mehmet Sabit Yilancilar, Yavuz Tanriverdi, Esra Acar, Busra Akinalan Balik, Ghassan Issa, Muzaffer Elmas and Veli Cengiz Ozalp

Catalysts 2026, 16(6), 567; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal16060567 - 20 Jun 2026

Viewed by 745

Abstract

Substantial advances have been made since the 1970s in reducing the environmental impacts of ammonia production. Renewable-driven electrochemical synthesis offers a promising pathway to decarbonize ammonia production. This review examines an integrated route in which hydrogen is generated photoelectrochemically under concentrated solar irradiation and subsequently used in electrochemical ammonia synthesis. Photoelectrochemical cells are fabricated by electrostatically depositing photosensitive particles onto cathodes to enhance light-driven hydrogen production. Hydrogen production rates and ammonia yield depend strongly on temperature and electrolyte composition. The synthesized hydrogen is fed into a molten salt electrochemical reactor that operates at atmospheric pressure and receives nitrogen from a dedicated supply. This combined solar–electrochemical approach can produce low-carbon ammonia with improved safety and reduced environmental impact, offering a scalable alternative to conventional processes. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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36 pages, 3007 KB

Open AccessReview

Calcium Oxide Nanoparticles as Green Nanocatalysts in Multicomponent Heterocyclic Synthesis: Mechanisms, Metrics, and Future Directions

by Surtipal Sharma, Ruchi Bharti, Monika Verma, Renu Sharma, Adília Januário Charmier and Manas Sutradhar

Catalysts 2025, 15(10), 970; https://doi.org/10.3390/catal15100970 - 11 Oct 2025

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 2140

Abstract

The growing demand for sustainable and efficient synthetic methodologies has brought nanocatalysis to the forefront of modern organic chemistry, particularly in the construction of heterocyclic compounds through multicomponent reactions (MCRs). Among various nanocatalysts, calcium oxide nanoparticles (CaO NPs) have gained significant attention because of their strong basicity, thermal stability, low toxicity, and cost-effectiveness. This review provides a comprehensive account of the recent strategies using CaO NPs as heterogeneous catalysts for the green synthesis of nitrogen- and oxygen-containing heterocycles through MCRs. Key reactions such as Biginelli, Hantzsch, and pyran annulations are discussed in detail, with emphasis on atom economy, reaction conditions, product yields, and catalyst reusability. In many instances, CaO NPs have enabled solvent-free or aqueous protocols with high efficiency and reduced reaction times, often under mild conditions. Mechanistic aspects are analyzed to highlight the catalytic role of surface basic sites in facilitating condensation and cyclization steps. The performance of CaO NPs is also compared with other oxide nanocatalysts, showcasing their benefits from green metrics evaluation like E-factor and turnover frequency. Despite significant progress, challenges remain in areas such as asymmetric catalysis, industrial scalability, and catalytic stability under continuous use. To address these gaps, future directions involving doped CaO nanomaterials, hybrid composites, and mechanochemical approaches are proposed. This review aims to provide a focused and critical perspective on CaO NP-catalyzed MCRs, offering insights that may guide further innovations in sustainable heterocyclic synthesis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue 15th Anniversary of Catalysts: Shaping a Sustainable Future Through Catalysis)

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