Metal-nitrogen coordination catalysts for lithium/thionyl chloride batteries: Structure-activity relationships and practical challenges

Lithium/thionyl chloride (Li/SOCl 2 ) batteries are high-energy-density electrochemical energy-storage systems with long shelf life, but their practical performance is still limited by sluggish thionyl chloride reduction, voltage delay, and lithium chloride passivation at the cathode. Metal‑nitrogen coordination catalysts provide a tunable approach to addressing these limitations, as their metal centers and ligand environments can be tailored to accelerate reaction kinetics and regulate LiCl deposition behavior. This review summarizes recent advances in phthalocyanine, porphyrin, and Schiff base catalysts for Li/SOCl 2 batteries, with emphasis on their structural features, synthesis strategies, catalytic mechanisms, and structure-activity relationships. The remaining challenges and future opportunities of these catalyst systems are further discussed from the perspectives of molecular design, interfacial regulation, and rechargeable Li/SOCl 2 battery development. Finally, future perspectives are outlined for the rational design of efficient and durable catalysts, with particular attention to their potential role in high-performance and rechargeable Li/SOCl 2 battery systems.