ABSTRACT
In this chapter important earlier research related to liquid metal catalysis and its scientific background will be described first, in order to clarify the roles played by this work in advancing the study of heterogeneous catalysis. Then the author's motive for initiating and promoting systematic studies on liquid metal catalysis will be described. The purpose of this chapter is to describe the scientific foresight of earlier researchers and to evaluate the position of the work of the author and his co-workers in the history of the catalysis research.
