Creating and mastering nano-objects to design advanced catalytic materials

New developments in the synthesis of nano-materials have opened new possibilities for creating and mastering nano-objects in order to design novel advanced catalytic materials. This concise conceptual review will give a glimpse into this fast growing research area discussing some of the possibilities in this direction, the perspectives and the gap to reduce to develop selective catalysts for complex multistep reactions. Emphasis is given to the opportunities offered by a tailored nano-design of the catalysts, from exploiting nano-confinement effects and supramolecular active sites synergies in nano-reactors to the new possibilities offered by new concepts such as the reduction of the relaxation time between two consecutive turnover cycles on a single active site and forcing a vectorial active site sequence in complex, multistep reactions. Other aspects discussed include the development of hierarchic pore structure to maximize catalyst effectiveness, metal complexes confined with solid cavities and the concept of nano-reactors, nanostructured composites and ordered 1D-type metal oxides. It is shown how significant progress in nano-materials has still not corresponded with progress in understanding the relationship between nanostructure and catalytic performance and the development of a more general strategy on the design of next-generation nano-catalysts.