Transition metal catalysts, specifically those anchored on molybdenum, vanadium, and tungsten, possess recognized activity as catalysts in facilitating oxidation reactions. The initial exploration encompassed molecular catalysts (both single and multiple coordination complexes containing Mo, V and W metal cores, along with diverse supramolecular architectures) to supported catalysts (polyoxometalates adhered to Merrifield supports). These catalysts were tested in different (ep)oxidation reactions, following the principles of green chemistry. The focal points included minimizing catalyst quantities, excluding organic solvents from the reaction media, and employing oxidants available in aqueous solutions.Additionally, recent research aimed the preparation and evaluation the derived materials for their conductivity and catalytic potential. Notably, impedance spectroscopy was introduced for the first time to track the real-time transformations of mononuclear to polynuclear molybdenum complexes, complementing findings obtained by thermal analysis. Thus far, the outcomes have revealed a compelling correlation between structural attributes and the material's conductivity and catalytic efficiency. Moreover, all investigated complexes exhibited augmented conductivity with rising temperatures, displaying semiconductor-like behavior. Our recent investigations have ventured into a new realm: preparation of the oxide glasses and glass-ceramics. Despite extensive knowledge about the electrical properties of glass-ceramics, there remains a considerable gap in exploring their catalytic applications. As a response, our focus has shifted towards exploring the potential of glass-(ceramic)-based materials as catalysts in analogous oxidation processes previously conducted. This innovative approach extends the application scope of glass-(ceramics), traditionally employed as catalyst supports, toward catalytic functionalities.

J. Pisk got a Ph.D. in Chemistry in 2012. In 2010 she spent one year at LCC Toulouse and IUT P. Sabatier Toulouse III, France, where she learned the basics of catalysis. She was Marie Curie Cofund's fellow and did postdoctoral research at the LCC, Toulouse (Project “Diligent search for chemical bio-sources: Solvent-free homogeneous and heterogeneous oxidation processes catalyzed by polyoxometalates”). She was an Assistant Professor at the Faculty of Science, Zagreb, in 2018, and from 2023 she is an Associate Professor. Her major interest is the coordination chemistry of molybdenum and vanadium and the investigation of catalytic properties of the obtained materials.