Designing oxidation catalysts - Are we getting better?

Oxidation is a key process for both the production of chemicals and intermediates as well as environmental clean-up and pollution abatement. A number of large scale processes have been commercialized and operated for many years. It seems appropriate to consider whether we are now getting better at designing oxidation catalysts. In this respect, a number of problems are exemplified using case studies, and recent design approaches and experimental methodologies are outlined.