Nature Catalysis

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 17 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01555-2 Heterogeneous and homogeneous photocatalysts offer different strengths and weaknesses. Here, continuous-flow photocatalytic oxidation reactions are performed using covalent organic framework nanofluids that heterogenize molecular units to combine the advantages of catalyst efficiency, light utilization and easy separ…

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 15 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01551-6 Enzyme assemblies can enhance metabolic efficiency, yet the ways in which transient interactions fine tune catalytic outcomes remain poorly understood. This study demonstrates that a flexible partner protein transiently remodels an enzyme’s active site to favour productive chemistry in a flavonoid metabolon.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 11 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01554-3 Electrocatalysts for ammonia oxidation tend to be poisoned by nitrogen-based intermediates. Here the authors use an electrode-alternating strategy that uses pulsed potential reversal to continuously regenerate the deactivated surface, enabling Pt-based ammonia electrolysis for over 1,000 h.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 09 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01539-2 Direct hydrogen atom transfer (d-HAT) for C(sp3)–H functionalization classically relies on O-centred photocatalysts. Now, neutral N-centred acridine photocatalysts have been added to the toolbox, enabling mild, scalable d-HAT that is compatible with a broad substrate scope and transition metal catalysis.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 09 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01549-0 Functionalization of saturated azacycles through Pd-catalysed C3-C(sp3)–H activation leveraging the endocyclic nitrogen as a directing group has been hindered by the intrinsic geometric strain of the palladacycle intermediate. Now, an amine N-oxide strategy overcomes this issue by forming a favourable five-membered p…

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 04 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01547-2 Metal dissolution is a common cause for catalyst deactivation in heterogenous catalysis. Now, after mapping Pd speciation as a function of pH, a cooperative enhancement mechanism between separated Au/C and Pd/C catalysts and involving solid and dissolved Pd species is identified for alcohol oxidation.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 03 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01552-5 Selective C–C bond activation adjacent to two heteroatoms is challenging due to competing C–X cleavage. This work develops a Ni–Al catalytic system that enables precise activation of the inert C2–C3 bond in β-lactams, facilitating efficient annulations with π-systems with high regiocontrol.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 02 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01548-1 The C–H activation of secondary and tertiary amines under directed Pd(II) catalysis remains challenging. Now the authors report a Pd-catalysed, site- and diastereoselective C3-C(sp3)–H arylation of saturated azacycles, enabled by conversion of the endocyclic nitrogen as N-oxide directing group and a bifunctional liga…

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 01 June 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01546-3 Bifunctional oxide–zeolite catalysts work in tandem to produce light olefins from syngas, but the precise mechanistic picture is complex and remains elusive. Now the reaction mechanism on a ZnCrOx/mordenite catalyst is studied in detail using a diffusion-bridged microkinetic model, and design principles are proposed.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 28 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01541-8 Photosynthetic biohybrid systems are promising technologies for solar-driven chemistry, but real-world implementation requires a deeper understanding of the abiotic/biotic interface. Now, single-particle imaging reveals that crystal facets and cell density govern charge transfer.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 28 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01540-9 Propylene production from propane faces persistent catalytic limitations. Now, an unusual form of subnanometre platinum–tin clusters confined within zeolite pores overcome the long-standing productivity–stability trade-off in propane dehydrogenation.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 28 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01543-6 The 59th edition of the Jahrestreffen Deutscher Katalytiker (annual meeting of the German catalysis scientists) provided a high-quality overview of recent advancements in catalysis research. This Meeting Report collects some impressions, themes and emerging trends from this year’s contributions.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 26 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01538-3 PtSn catalysts are most effective for propane dehydrogenation but structural tunability remains challenging. Now the use of molecular complex precursors unlocks access to subnanometre alloyed PtSn clusters within silicalite-1. The Pt in the clusters undergoes diverse and rapid interconversion among different electroni…

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 22 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01544-5 Pt-based alloys are among the most active catalysts for fuel cells, but strategies to improve their performance are still needed. Now a series of non-metal-modified Pt-based compositionally complex alloys is prepared via a general solvothermal approach and tested for the oxygen reduction reaction, where PtCuNiCoN is s…

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 12 May 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01535-6 Direct electrocatalytic oxidation of propylene in aqueous solution has been limited to precious-metal catalysts in halogenated electrolytes. Now, a perovskite oxide has achieved 40% Faradaic efficiency towards propylene oxide and glycol using water as the oxygen source in a phosphate/polyphosphate electrolyte.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 30 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01545-4 Author Correction: Peaks and pitfalls of electrocatalytic CO 2 reduction descriptor models

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 29 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01532-9 Stereoselective radical C–C couplings remain a major challenge. Now photometallobiocatalytic cross-coupling of organotrifluoroborates and α-diazoesters is achieved with high enantio- and diastereoselectivity via an outer-sphere radical mechanism mediated by engineered cytochrome c and eosin B.

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 29 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01531-w Pt-based alloy clusters within zeolite channels are promising catalysts for the dehydrogenation of alkanes, but controlling their distribution under operation is challenging. Now a water-soaking treatment to regenerate and minimize atom migration in K–PtSn@MFI catalysts is introduced, resulting in enhanced stability…

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 28 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01528-5 Stereocontrol over radical intermediates is highly sought after in asymmetric organic synthesis, yet current approaches remain limited and difficult to generalize. A photobiocatalytic strategy employing thiamine diphosphate (ThDP)‑dependent enzymes now achieves simultaneous and precise control over two prochiral rad…

Nature Catalysis, Published online: 28 April 2026; doi:10.1038/s41929-026-01534-7 Supramolecular control of cationic intermediates