The unique morphological characteristics of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) present the intriguing
opportunity of exploiting the inner cavity for carrying out chemical reactions. Such reactions are
catalysed either by the individual tubes that function both as catalysts and nanoreactors or by
additional catalytic species that are confined within the channel. Such confinement creates what is
called “confinement effect”, which can result in different catalytic features affecting activity, stability
and selectivity. The review highlights the recent major advancements of catalysis conducted within
the CNTs, starting from the synthesis of the catalytic composite, and discussing the most notable
catalytic processes that have been reported in the last decade.
