Infrared (IR) spectroscopy undoubtedly represents one of the most important tools in catalysis research. In this review, recent catalytic applications of the most popular IR techniques will be presented. Each section starts from the very general basis of the spectroscopic method applied. The last section is devoted to the adsorption of chelating compounds on surfaces of mineral oxides. The aim of adding a large number of illustrations and an appendix is to make the presented material more familiar for young researchers and postgraduate students. Most of the papers discussed have appeared in the last 5-6 years, because the older literature has been reviewed in earlier papers.