Program topics now available

The conference has four main topics. Each of the four conference days will be exploring one of these topics in detail with the relevant plenary lecture setting the scene.

In addition, there will be a panel discussion regarding the future of oxidation catalysis.

Fundamentals and Mechanistic Insights

• Understanding oxidation catalysis through studies on reaction pathways, kinetics, and thermodynamics.
• Theoretical modeling, computational chemistry, and surface science.
• Exploration of fundamental processes to improve atom economy through catalytic oxidation.
• Hydrocarbon activation, spillover and oxygen storage.

Catalyst Design, Preparation, and Characterisation

• Development of novel catalytic materials, including nanostructured catalysts, bulk metal oxides, and supported nanoparticles.
• Advanced analytical methods to enable in situ and operando techniques to observe catalysts functioning in real-time.
• Investigating catalyst synergy and identifying active sites.
• Catalyst deactivation and thermal stability of catalysts.

Industrial Applications and Chemical Engineering

• Petrochemical processing, such as the selective oxidation of alkanes and olefins to bulk chemicals.
• Role of oxidation catalysis in CO2 valorisation.
• Synthesis of fine chemicals and pharmaceutical intermediates.
• Process engineering, reactor design, scale-up challenges, and thermal management of highly exothermic oxidation reactions.
• Hots spot formation and process safety.

Green Chemistry and Sustainability

• Environmental clean-up, including Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) abatement and exhaust catalysis.
• Processing of bio-derived feedstocks and biomass conversion.
• The use of “green” oxidants (like hydrogen peroxide or molecular oxygen) over traditional toxic reagents.
• Emerging fields like electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and enzymatic bio-oxidation.

Panel discussion: “Oxidation catalysis in 2040”

• Given the timeline from bench to scale is about 20 years and environmental problems are pressing:
  • What are realistic targets and goals for oxidation catalysis at scale?
  • What is the balance between brand new (not yet conceived) and more well developed?
  • Is there still a place for fundamental work if it is justified with eventual application to address urgent needs?

The Program at a Glance for the World Congress on Oxidation Catalysis 2026 is available below. Take a first look at the schedule and start planning your Congress experience.

Program at a Glance is subject to change. Last updated on 19 December 2025.