Our research addresses fundamental aspects of catalysts and catalyzed reactions that enable paths to zero carbon footprint energy carriers and chemical intermediates, using thermal and electrochemical energy input. Designing the nature of catalytically active centers, their steric environment, and the self-organization around them, we seek to lower required reaction temperatures and increase targeted selectivities for converting biomass derived feedstock, light alkanes, and CO₂. In-depth characterization of the nature and structure of such sites, of their chemical and steric functionality, as well as of the molecules populating their environment guides us together with kinetic and mechanistic studies to find new reaction pathways.