Thanks to a unique set of properties, liquid metal catalysts provide advantages compared to traditional solid systems, yet their potential in heterogeneous catalysis has not been fully explored. This Perspective identifies some of the key advances in the field of liquid metal catalysis, discussing areas where progress is expected through further fundamental understanding as well as reactor engineering.

Electrocatalytic NO_x reduction (NO_xR) to ammonia has recently become an increasingly popular alternative to the more challenging N₂ reduction. This Perspective critically assesses the possible ways NO_xR could contribute to the ammonia economy and clarifies the necessary steps for a rigorous experimental protocol.

The electrochemical synthesis of ammonia via the lithium-mediated reduction of N₂ holds great promise to replace the carbon- and energy-intensive Haber–Bosch process. This Review discusses this approach and examines the critical role of the catalytic solid–electrolyte interphase formed on the electrode.

The use of data science tools in catalysis research has experienced a surge in the past 10–15 years. This Review provides a holistic overview and categorization of the field across the various approaches and subdisciplines in catalysis.

The non-innocence of electrolyte cations in the activity of CO₂ reduction has been widely acknowledged, although these complex effects are not fully understood. Here, opposite to the trend observed with Cu and Ag surfaces, smaller alkali cations greatly enhance CO₂-to-methanol conversion on a cobalt molecular electrocatalyst.

Methods for studying the adsorption behaviour of molecules onto surfaces under reactive and non-reactive conditions are needed to improve photocatalysts for water treatment. Here the authors develop an imaging technique, adCOMPEITS, to quantify the adsorption of micropollutants on Au/TiO₂ and identify a long-range enhancement effect.

Methods for electrocatalytic deracemization remained elusive. Now, electrocatalytic cyclic deracemization of alcohols is reported, involving sequential anodic dehydrogenation and cathodic hydrogenation using two distinct metal hydride catalysts and a chemically modified electrode to avoid redox incompatibility.

The precise functionalization of distant aromatic C(sp²)–H bonds remains largely unexplored. Here the authors report a para-selective acylation strategy to target remote aryl C(sp²)–H bonds away from an activated functionality through radical N-heterocyclic carbene organocatalysis.

Iridium-based oxides are the most active catalysts for acidic water oxidation, but a complete understanding of their surface reconstruction under operation remains elusive. Now three key paracrystalline structural motifs are identified on the seemingly amorphous reconstructed IrO_x surface.

Pt-based catalysts are the state of the art for the oxygen reduction reaction. Now the three-dimensional local atomic structure of PtNi and Mo-doped PtNi nanoparticles is revealed via atomic electron tomography, and a local environment descriptor of catalytic activity is put forwards.

This Editorial deals with scientific language in research papers, considering the causes — as well as the problems — associated with the use of hyperbolic statements.