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.

Material–microbe hybrids represent an interesting class of catalyst with potential for high energy efficiency and product selectivity. In this Perspective the authors discuss some of the difficulties in understanding these interdisciplinary systems and the attempts to unify the approaches taken by different research communities to further the field.

Atropisomerism is an expanding target of asymmetric catalysis. In this Review, recent advances in atroposelective synthesis under catalytic control are highlighted with a focus on general strategies that provide high versatility and modularity.

The mechanism of electrocatalytic CO/CO₂ reduction on Cu surfaces is complex and its various mechanisms remain under debate, including the important role of cations in the electrolyte. Here the authors quantitatively determine the impact of alkali cations on the thermodynamics of CO adsorption under electrochemical conditions and the activation parameters of the rate-determining step.

Heterologous expression of an active, metallocentre-containing nitrogenase in a non-diazotrophic host is challenging. Now, the heterologous biosynthetic pathway of Mo-nitrogenase is pieced together in Escherichia coli using genes from Azotobacter vinelandii and Methanosarcina acetivorans.

The traditional Haber–Bosch process as well as recent alternative approaches based on photo- or electrocatalysis all rely on solid catalysts to convert nitrogen into ammonia. Here the authors disclose an effective method for the synthesis of this crucial commodity based on a Cu–Ga liquid metal catalyst instead.

The electrochemical reduction of CO₂ on organometallic catalysts is commonly limited to two-electron products. Now, an iron tetraphenylporphyrin catalyst immobilized onto a nickel electrode is shown to achieve a Faradaic efficiency for ethanol of 68% due to the strong electronic coupling between the catalyst and the support.

Sulfilimines are a class of chiral molecules that bear S(IV) stereocentres, which are of high value in drug discovery but difficult to synthesize. Now the authors report a chemo- and enantioselective Chan–Lam S-arylation of sulfenamides with arylboronic acids that delivers diaryl and alkyl aryl sulfilimines.

Recently, the pyridoxal-5′-phosphate-dependent enzyme SbzP was reported to catalyse a [3+2]-annulation reaction yielding β-NAD-derived antibiotics. Now, cryo-electron microscopy structures of a stable homologue and computational simulations provide structural and mechanistic insights into this enzymatic reaction.

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