Catalysts for coal conversions are overviewed in liquefaction, gasification, upgrading of coal liquid, flue gas cleaning, and synthetic gas conversions to find bases for innovative catalytic coal conversions of the next generation. Selection of active species, catalyst supports and their optimized combinations are keys to developing such processes. Carbons or perovskite type supports are claimed to be the most potential supports for liquefaction and upgrading or gasification and gas cleaning, respectively. Active carbon fiber is also claimed to be a promising adsorbent for the removal of SO2 and NOx in flue gas from coal combustion. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.