This introductory contribution to the issue ＇New Concepts in Selective Oxidation over Heterogenous Catalysts＇ provides an overview of the specific contributions on different selected topics to put them in a more general and comprehensive perspective and, in particular, outlines the possible extensions and limitations of the new concepts discussed in this issue. Four main topics are discussed : (i) development of catalysts/technologies for selective oxidation at room temperature using dioxygen, (ii) new approaches to generate active oxygen species, (iii) the search for new types of oxidation catalysts and (iv) new opportunities for oxidation catalysts. A final short section is included to comment some new possible directions for future research in terms of new types of oxidation syntheses.