Stability is a key property for any catalyst. The description of stability, however, varies in the literature depending on the subfield. In this Review the authors present a systematic literature analysis aimed at identifying generalized deactivation modes and their prevalence in different areas of catalysis to offer a comprehensive descriptive framework of catalyst deactivation.

Photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide formation is an advancing field with various approaches motivated by the promise of a green oxidant and energy carrier for a sustainable future. An assessment on quantification methods, sacrificial agents and best practices is provided to avoid false positives and support progress in the field.

Paola Laurino and Moni Hamolsky talk to Nature Catalysis about the Rosalind Franklin Forum for Female Scientists, Open to All (Roz), recalling the forum’s origins and aspirations.

Progress in the field of photocatalytic CO₂ reduction has been constrained by a lack of comparability between studies. This Perspective provides recommendations for best practices in the undertaking and reporting of experimental data in this promising research area.

Cas9 is a powerful genome-manipulation enzyme, although how its catalytic activity is controlled is not completely solved. Now, cryo-electron microscopy structures of Acidothermus cellulolyticus Cas9 provide atomic-level insights into its activation involving DNA binding, conformational changes and the formation of its two active sites.

Alkene 1,1-difunctionalization can provide direct access to valuable molecules. Now, an organometallic-radical relay strategy involving radical generation through homolysis of the metal–alkyl complex allows catalytic coupling of terminal or internal alkenes with arylboronic acids and electrophilic radical acceptors.

The selective hydrogenation of acetylene to ethylene involves high H₂ consumption as well as a high energy input. Now, a thermocatalytic process for acetylene semi-hydrogenation using H₂O as H source and CO on a Au/α-MoC catalyst is introduced.

CO electroreduction is a promising process for obtaining high-value chemicals but it typically suffers from low durability. Now the degradation mechanisms of membrane-electrode-assembly devices during high-rate CO reduction are identified via operando wide-angle X-ray scattering measurements and circumvented.

Inexpensive Fe–N–C single-atom catalysts are a promising solution to replace costly Pt-based cathode catalysts in fuel cells, but they typically suffer from low durability. Now, the degradation mechanisms of Fe–N–C catalysts are identified under operando conditions as a function of time, and potential solutions are proposed.

Upgrading methane to more valuable chemicals such as methanol is highly appealing but remains challenging. Here the authors show how edge-rich MoS₂ can be used to oxidize methane to C1 oxygenates at room temperature using oxygen as the oxidant.