Recent advances in tailor-made catalysts for the direct conversion of ethanol to butadiene

•Recent advance in direct conversion of ethanol to butadiene are reviewed.•The reaction mechanism of direct conversion of ethanol to butadiene is clarified.•The role of water and acid-base properties in catalytic performance are elucidated.•The interaction between metal and support to boost butadiene are analyzed.•Developments of direct conversion of ethanol to butadiene is prospected. The production of butadiene from ethanol provides a strategy to address the overdependence on fossil energy, oversupply of butadiene and sustainable production. Although the production of butadiene from ethanol has made significant progress, the development of efficient catalysts remains a great challenge. In addition to, there are relatively few systematic summaries and analyses of developing customized catalysts for the conversion of ethanol to butadiene (ETB). Here, the recent advances of catalysts for direct ETB conversion are highlighted. The structure–activity relationship, mechanism of acid-base properties on catalytic performance, reaction mechanism, and catalyst stability of catalysts for direct ETB conversion have been systematically analyzed and summarized. The negative effect of water on the catalytic performance of the catalysts and the strong interaction between metal and support to enhance butadiene production as well as the mechanism of catalyst deactivation are illustrated in depth. Meanwhile, we present the development challenges and future opportunities of direct ETB conversion. The aim of this review is to comprehensively explore the direct ETB conversion from a comprehensive perspective to promote the development of novel and efficient catalysts and accelerate the industrialization of this process.