Polyoxometalate‐Single Atom Catalysts (POM‐SACs) in Energy Research and Catalysis

Single atom catalysts—SACs—have received intense interest in sustainable energy research due to their enormous application potential and broad catalytic scope. In particular, SACs anchored on molecular metal oxides—polyoxometalates (POMs)—offer unrivalled possibilities as models to understand the function of these complex systems on the atomic level. Research questions which are difficult to address for classical heterogeneous SACs can be addressed by experiment and theory using POM‐SACs as prototype catalysts. This review reviews the emerging field of POM‐SAC research with a focus on fundamental properties and their application in energy conversion and storage technologies including water splitting, CO/CO2‐ as well as N2‐activation. Current limitations of the field are identified and possible routes to overcome these are described. Future areas of development, including polyoxometalate‐single‐site catalysts, are highlighted, and critically assessed to enable the community to develop this fast‐moving field further. This review investigates recent breakthroughs and future trends in polyoxometalate‐single atom catalyst (POM‐SAC) research. Major developments in the areas of catalysis, energy conversion, and small molecule activation are critically discussed together with fundamental considerations of the possible role of POM‐SACs in future energy technologies, such as light‐driven chemistry and electrocatalysis.