This
review highlights in situ UV–vis–NIR
range absorption spectroscopy in catalysis. A variety of experimental
techniques identifying reaction mechanisms, kinetics, and structural
properties are discussed. Stopped flow techniques, use of laser pulses,
and use of experimental perturbations are demonstrated for in situ studies of enzymatic, homogeneous, heterogeneous,
and photocatalysis. They access different time scales and are applicable
to different reaction systems and catalyst types. In photocatalysis,
femto- and nanosecond resolved measurements through transient absorption
are discussed for tracking excited states. UV–vis–NIR
absorption spectroscopies for structural characterization are demonstrated
especially for Cu and Fe exchanged zeolites and metalloenzymes. This
requires combining different spectroscopies. Combining magnetic circular
dichroism and resonance Raman spectroscopy is especially powerful.
A multitude of phenomena can be tracked on transition metal catalysts
on various supports, including changes in oxidation state, adsorptions,
reactions, support interactions, surface plasmon resonances, and band
gaps. Measurements of oxidation states, oxygen vacancies, and band
gaps are shown on heterogeneous catalysts, especially for electrocatalysis.
UV–vis–NIR absorption is burdened by broad absorption
bands. Advanced analysis techniques enable the tracking of coking
reactions on acid zeolites despite convoluted spectra. The value of
UV–vis–NIR absorption spectroscopy to catalyst characterization
and mechanistic investigation is clear but could be expanded.