One catalyst to rule them all: a journey from bulk to atom-level control

In this overview, the principles underlying the evo lution of catalysis over time through the transition from homogeneous to heterogeneous catalysis and the more recent single-atom catalysis, and its strong impact on both academia and industry will be explored and discussed. This article discusses the crucial role of catalysis in both aca demic research and industrial applications, with advances often motivated by the need for more sustainable, selective, and efficient chemical transformations. Several examples of the applica tion of catalysis techniques and their development are reported, offering insights into needs and prospects in different fields. Here, homogeneous catalysis, the development of nanoreactors and supramolecular systems, and single-atom catalysis are explored, presenting a concise over view of these milestones and discussing how frontier research is shaping the future of catalysis.