AbstractDevelopment trends in catalytic fluid reactions. Problems associated with raw materials, energy, and the environment have had many repercussions on the industrial development of catalytic processes. Apart from efforts to increase the use of coal‐based feedstock such as synthesis gas and methanol, particular attention is focussed upon improvements in the selectivity of industrial reactions. There appears to be a reversal of direction in the choice of phase: proven homogeneous catalysts are being heterogenized, and heterogeneous catalysts are being employed in homogeneous or liquid form. Other typical features are increased efforts to replace conventional multistep syntheses by direct syntheses, and high pressure syntheses by medium or low pressure syntheses. Finally, measures designed to regenerate or conserve catalytic activity and selectivity are becoming more and more importan