As Editor-in-Chief of Catal, I am honored to introduce this new open-access journal launched by Springer, dedicated to the ever-evolving field of catalysis. Inspired by Robert Frost’s poetic line, “Nature’s first green is gold,” Catal emerges as a precious and foundational platform—rooted in tradition, yet forward-looking in vision.

Catalysis has long been a cornerstone of scientific advancement, from early enzymatic processes in fermentation to transformative breakthroughs like the Haber-Bosch process. With at least nine Nobel Prizes awarded in this field, catalysis continues to shape modern science and industry, addressing global challenges in energy, environment, and health.

Catal is designed to meet the needs of today’s interdisciplinary catalysis community. Our mission is threefold:

• To amplify impact through open access, ensuring research is widely visible and accessible;
• To prioritize real-world applications, not just mechanistic studies;
• To support early-career researchers, fostering an inclusive and collaborative environment.

Our editorial board includes leading experts across catalysis disciplines, including heterogeneous, photocatalysis, biocatalysis, and electrocatalysis—my own area of research. We are committed to timely, balanced peer review and to publishing high-quality work that spans fundamental discoveries to practical innovations.

In this inaugural issue, we present a diverse collection of research articles, perspectives, and highlights across theoretical catalysis, biocatalysis, electrocatalysis, and organocatalysis. I extend my heartfelt thanks to all authors, reviewers, and the publishing team for their contributions.

I am confident that Catal will grow into a high-impact forum for catalysis researchers worldwide, advancing both science and society.

— Jinsong Hu
Beijing National Laboratory for Molecular Sciences
Institute of Chemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences