Gold catalysis highlights at 13 ICC, Paris, 11–16 July 2004

This 13th International Congress on Catalysis proved to be a lively and stimulating meeting with around 2,000 participants from more than 60 countries. There were 186 oral presentations, including ten keynotes and six plenaries and over 1,300 posters, exhibited in three very lively afternoon sessions. Altogether there where close to fifty presentations where the principal theme was catalysis by gold or gold alloys. The fast developing interest in gold catalysis was also indicated by other speakers. A greater understanding of the mechanistic pathways operating during the reactions catalysed by gold and better definition of the optimal catalyst preparation methods and reaction conditions will lead to yet more new discoveries and new applications for gold catalysis.