As catalysis research has evolved from resolution of functions such as metals and acids and experiments with model catalysts toward identification of catalytic sites, catalyst preparation has evolved toward catalyst synthesis. This argument is developed on the basis of examples of catalysts that are less complex structurally than typical industrial solid catalysts; the examples include metal complexes bonded to supports, through tethers or metal-oxygen bonds, and crystalline porous materials such as zeolites. With such materials, especially molecular species bonded to crystalline supports, catalyst synthesis is a reality and the notion of catalyst design is becoming realistic. (C) 2014 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.