Oxidative dehydrogenation of propane is an attractive route for the synthesis of propylene due to its favorable thermodynamic and kinetic characteristics, however, it is challenging to realize high selectivity towards propylene. Recently, it has been discovered that boron nitride (BN) is a promising catalyst that affords superior selectivity towards propylene in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane. Summarizing the progress and unravelling the reaction mechanism of BN in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane are of great significance for the rational design of efficient catalysts in the future. Herein, in this review, the underlying reaction mechanisms of oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over BN are extracted; the developed BN catalysts are classified into pristine BN, functionalized BN, supported BN and others, and the applications of each category of BN catalysts in oxidative dehydrogenation of propane are summarized; the challenges and opportunities on oxidative dehydrogenation of propane over BN are pointed out, aiming to inspire more studies and advance this research field.

The trace amount of CO in H₂-rich gas poisons Pt electrode when it is adopted as feedstock for proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells. Preferential oxidation of CO (PROX) is a promising approach to selectively oxidize the trace amount of CO while keeping H₂ unoxidized. Catalyst plays important roles in PROX. To date, enormous catalysts have been developed for PROX. Summarizing the catalysts developed for PROX and unveiling the reaction mechanism could definitely advance this research field. Herein, in this review, according to the nature of the active sites on the catalysts, we classify the catalysts into group VIII metal-based catalyst, group IB metal-based catalysts, group VIII-group IB bimetallic catalysts, transitional metal oxide catalysts as well as others, describe the progress of the catalysts in PROX in the latest five years, and extract the underlying reaction mechanism, with the aim to provide guidance for the rational design of efficient catalysts in the future.