Molybdenum Disulfide-Based Catalysts in Organic Synthesis: State of the Art, Open Issues, and Future Perspectives

In the field of heterogeneous organic catalysis, molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is gaining increasing attention as a catalytically active material due to its low toxicity, earth abundance, and affordability. Interestingly, the catalytic properties of this metal-based material can be improved by several strategies. In this Perspective, through the analysis of some explicative examples, the main approaches used to prepare highly efficient MoS₂-based catalysts in relevant organic reactions are summarized and critically discussed, namely: i) increment of the specific surface area, ii) generation of the metallic 1T phase, iii) introduction of vacancies, iv) preparation of nanostructured hybrids/composites, v) doping with transition metal ions, and vi) partial oxidation of MoS₂. Finally, emerging trends in MoS₂-based materials catalysis leading to a richer organic synthesis are presented.