How to Cite ACS Catalysis in APA Format

Complete guide to citing ACS Catalysis in APA 7th edition with examples, unique formatting requirements, and common issues specific to this source.

ACS Catalysis presents unique citation challenges that require specific guidance beyond general source type rules. This page provides targeted help for finding citation information, handling ACS Catalysis's particular format requirements, and avoiding common mistakes specific to this platform.

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Quick Reference: ACS Catalysis Citations

Reference List Format:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx

ACS Catalysis-Specific Notes:
Citing sources from ACS Catalysis follows the American Chemical Society (ACS) style, which has unique citation formatting requirements compared to more commonly used formats like APA or MLA. In ACS style, references are numbered sequentially in the text and correspond to a numbered list at the end of the document. For articles in ACS Catalysis, authors' names are formatted with last names followed by initials without periods or spaces, and up to 20 authors can be listed before using "et al." if there are more. The article title is written in sentence case and is followed by the journal name in italics, the year of publication in bold, volume number in italics, and pages. An example citation might look like this: Smith, J. A.; Brown, B. C.; Johnson, C. D. et al. Title of the Article. ACS Catal. 2020, 10, 1234-1245.

Where ACS Catalysis differs significantly from standard citation rules is in the structuring of author names and the use of italics and bold formatting for different elements of the citation. Unlike APA, which limits the number of authors listed to 20 before using "et al.," ACS does not have a set limit but often uses "et al." for practical reasons after many authors. Students often confuse the order of elements and the specific formatting, such as forgetting to italicize the journal name or bold the year, which can lead to incorrect citations.

To avoid these common pitfalls, students should pay close attention to the specific formatting details of ACS style. Double-checking each part of the citation for proper italics, bolding, and the sequence of elements is crucial. It's also beneficial to utilize citation management tools or software that supports ACS style, as these can help automate the formatting process and reduce errors. Always refer to the latest ACS style guide, as citation formats can be updated.

In-Text Citation:
- Parenthetical: ([Author], [Year])
- Narrative: [Author] ([Year])

Key Points:
- Use Journal Article format with ACS Catalysis specifics
- Locate citation info on ACS Catalysis's website
- Handle ACS Catalysis's unique formatting requirements

Last Updated: 2025-11-01 | Reading Time: 5 minutes

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Where to Find Citation Information on ACS Catalysis

Navigating ACS Catalysis to locate citation information requires a systematic approach, as the website is tailored to provide comprehensive information about each published article. Here’s how you can efficiently gather citation details like the author, publication date, title, and URL/access information:

  1. Accessing the Website: Begin by visiting the ACS Catalysis section of the American Chemical Society’s website. You can either search for ACS Catalysis directly through your browser or go to https://pubs.acs.org/journal/accacs.

  2. Locating the Article: Use the search bar located at the top of the page to find the specific article you need. You can search by keywords, author names, or article titles. Once you find the article, click on its title to open the full article page.

  3. Identifying the Author(s): The author byline is prominently displayed at the top of each article page, just below the article title. Here, you will find the names of all the authors who contributed to the research. Clicking on an author's name may provide more details, like their affiliation.

  4. Finding the Publication Date: The publication date is typically located under the article title and author information. It is formatted to display the month, day, and year, ensuring that you can accurately cite the most recent research.

  5. Article Title: The title of the article is found at the very top of the page, in a larger and bold font, making it easily identifiable. Ensure you transcribe it exactly as it appears, including any subtitles.

  6. Accessing the URL: The URL for the article is located in your browser’s address bar. This URL is crucial for online citations as it provides the direct link to the article. Make sure to copy the full URL starting with "https://".

  7. Additional Citation Tools: ACS Catalysis often includes a “Cite This” or “Citation” button on the article page, usually located on the right sidebar or near the top of the article. Clicking this will provide you with a pre-formatted citation in various styles, including APA, which can be very useful.

  8. Unique Features: ACS Catalysis articles often include supplementary information like graphical abstracts and supporting information links. While these are not typically needed for citations, they can provide additional context.

By following these steps, you will efficiently gather all necessary information for properly citing an article from ACS Catalysis. This process ensures that your citation is accurate and consistent with academic standards.

Step-by-Step: Creating Your ACS Catalysis Citation

Creating an ACS Catalysis Citation: Step-by-Step Instructions

When writing research papers or academic assignments, it is important to give proper credit to the sources you use. The American Chemical Society (ACS) has specific guidelines for citing articles in their journals, including ACS Catalysis. This guide will help you understand how to create an accurate citation step-by-step.

What You Need

Step 1: Find the Article

Action: Locate the article you want to cite. This could be through a library database, journal website, or a search engine.

Verification: Ensure that you have access to the full text of the article. You should be able to read the article to gather the necessary citation details.

Time Estimate: 10-15 minutes

Tips for Efficiency: Use academic databases like Google Scholar or your institution’s library portal for quicker access.

Step 2: Gather Author Information

Action: Identify the authors of the article. List their names in the format “Last Name, First Initial.”

Verification: Make sure to note all authors. If there are multiple authors, separate them with commas and use an ampersand (&) before the last author's name.

Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes

Tips for Efficiency: Write down the names in the correct format as you find them to avoid confusion.

Step 3: Collect the Publication Year

Action: Find the year the article was published. This information is usually found on the first page of the article or in the citation details.

Verification: Ensure that the date corresponds to the version of the article you are citing, as sometimes an article may have multiple versions.

Time Estimate: 2-5 minutes

Tips for Efficiency: Keep the article open while you gather information to reference it easily.

Step 4: Record the Title of the Article

Action: Write down the full title of the article exactly as it appears, ensuring to capitalize only the first letter of the first word of the title and any proper nouns.

Verification: Double-check for typos, and ensure that it matches the title in the article.

Time Estimate: 2-5 minutes

Tips for Efficiency: Copy and paste the title directly if you are working digitally, but be cautious of formatting.

Step 5: Identify Journal Information

Action: Find the title of the journal (ACS Catalysis), the volume number, issue number, and page range.

Verification: The journal title should be italicized when writing the citation. Make note of the volume and issue numbers, which typically follow the journal name.

Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes

Tips for Efficiency: Look at the header or footer of the article for this information. It is usually prominently displayed.

Step 6: Find the DOI

Action: Look for the DOI, which is a unique identifier for the article, usually located on the article's webpage or at the top of the first page of the PDF.

Verification: Ensure that you have the complete DOI, which usually starts with "https://doi.org/."

Time Estimate: 5 minutes

Tips for Efficiency: Use a DOI lookup tool if you cannot find it directly in the article.

Step 7: Format the Citation

Action: Using the information you've gathered, format the citation according to the ACS style.

The format should be:
Author, A. A., & Author, B. B. (Year). Title of article. Title of Journal, volume(issue), pages. https://doi.org/xxxxx

Verification: Ensure each part is in the correct order and format, capitalizing as specified.

Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes

Tips for Efficiency: Use a citation management tool to help format your citation automatically.

Step 8: Review and Edit

Action: Carefully review your formatted citation for any errors.

Verification: Check for typos, correct punctuation, and formatting. Make sure all authors, titles, and details are accurately represented.

Time Estimate: 5-10 minutes

Tips for Efficiency: Reading the citation out loud can help catch errors you might miss when reading silently.

Conclusion

Creating an ACS Catalysis citation is a straightforward process when broken down into manageable steps. By following these instructions, you can ensure that your citations are accurate, properly formatted, and ready to be included in your academic work. Remember to take your time, verify each detail, and utilize available resources for efficiency.

Real Examples from ACS Catalysis

This section provides authentic citation examples from ACS Catalysis using recent publications from 2023-2024.

I'm unable to browse the internet in real-time to access recent articles or content directly from sources like ACS Catalysis. However, I can guide you on how to format citations in APA 7th edition based on hypothetical examples that illustrate how to handle different scenarios. Once you find the actual articles, you can replace the placeholders with real information.

Example 1: Standard Individual Author

Scenario Description: This is a research article authored by a single researcher, focusing on a novel catalytic process developed in 2023.

Reference List Citation:
Smith, J. A. (2023). Innovative approaches in catalytic hydrogenation. ACS Catalysis, 13(5), 1234-1245. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.3b01234

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Smith, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Smith (2023) discusses innovative approaches in catalytic hydrogenation.

Notes: This example highlights a typical scholarly article with a single author, which is quite common in academic publishing.

Example 2: Corporate Author

Scenario Description: An article published by a research institute focusing on environmental impact assessments of catalytic processes.

Reference List Citation:
Green Chemistry Institute. (2024). Environmental assessments of new catalytic technologies. ACS Catalysis, 14(1), 45-57. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.4b00045

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Green Chemistry Institute, 2024)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
According to the Green Chemistry Institute (2024), environmental assessments are crucial in developing new catalytic technologies.

Notes: Corporate authors are usually organizations or agencies, and they provide a collective viewpoint in research.

Example 3: Multiple Authors

Scenario Description: A collaborative study by three authors exploring the efficiency of transition metal catalysts in CO2 reduction.

Reference List Citation:
Johnson, M. L., Chen, Y., & Patel, R. K. (2023). Transition metal catalysts in CO2 reduction: Efficiency and applications. ACS Catalysis, 13(7), 5678-5690. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.3b04567

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Johnson, Chen, & Patel, 2023)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Johnson, Chen, and Patel (2023) investigate the efficiency of transition metal catalysts in CO2 reduction.

Notes: This citation includes multiple authors, which is common in collaborative scientific research, especially in chemistry.

Example 4: Special Formatting Cases

Scenario Description: An article with a supplemental section addressing theoretical models for catalytic kinetics, requiring special formatting for supplementary materials.

Reference List Citation:
Lee, K. H., & Wang, T. (2024). Theoretical models in catalytic kinetics: A supplementary study. ACS Catalysis, 14(2), 234-246. https://doi.org/10.1021/acscatal.4b01234

In-Text Citation (Parenthetical):
(Lee & Wang, 2024)

In-Text Citation (Narrative):
Lee and Wang (2024) provide a supplementary study on theoretical models in catalytic kinetics.

Notes: Articles with supplementary sections may require additional formatting considerations, such as including URLs for supplementary videos or datasets.

When you find the actual articles, ensure to replace the placeholders with the correct details from the sources. Each of these examples demonstrates different aspects of citation formats in APA style, reflecting the diversity of authorship and content type that can be found in scholarly journals like ACS Catalysis.

Common Issues When Citing ACS Catalysis

When citing articles from ACS Catalysis, students often encounter several challenges that can complicate the citation process. Below are some common issues, explanations for why they occur, and practical solutions to address them.

Finding Authors

Issue Description:
Students may struggle to correctly identify all authors of an article, especially when there are numerous contributors. ACS Catalysis articles often have multiple authors, listed with full names, which can lead to confusion about the correct order and formatting.

Why It Happens:
The challenge arises from the varying presentation of author names in online listings and PDFs. ACS Catalysis typically lists authors with their full names, but without clear demarcations between first and last names, particularly for names from cultures with different naming conventions.

Solution:
To address this, students should always refer to the official article webpage on the ACS Publications site, which provides a clear list of authors. Follow these steps:

  1. Navigate to the article's page on the ACS Catalysis website.
  2. Locate the "Authors" section, usually at the top of the abstract.
  3. Copy the names exactly as they appear in the order provided.
  4. Ensure that the names are formatted correctly in APA style: Last Name, First Initial(s). (e.g., Smith, J. D.)

Example:

Date Formats

Issue Description:
Students often struggle with identifying and formatting the publication date correctly, especially when pre-publication dates such as "Accepted" or "Published Online" are included.

Why It Happens:
ACS Catalysis frequently updates article statuses, and students might mistakenly cite the acceptance date instead of the official publication date.

Solution:
Identify the correct publication date by:

  1. Checking the article page for the "Published Date" – this is the date to use.
  2. Ignore other dates such as "Accepted" or "Received."

Example:

URL Handling

Issue Description:
In APA 7th edition, students must include a URL for online sources, but some may cite URLs that are incomplete or unstable.

Why It Happens:
URLs copied directly from the browser may include session-specific information or redirects, which are not stable over time.

Solution:
To ensure a stable URL:

  1. Use the "Copy DOI" or "Copy Link" feature on the article page.
  2. If unavailable, manually copy the URL, ensuring it points directly to the article landing page without session identifiers.

Example:

Access Requirements

Issue Description:
Citing articles from ACS Catalysis can be problematic due to access restrictions, as some content is behind paywalls.

Why It Happens:
ACS Catalysis is a subscription-based journal, meaning full articles are not always freely accessible, leading to incomplete citations based on abstract-only views.

Solution:
Ensure access to the full article through:

  1. Using institutional access if available (e.g., university library subscriptions).
  2. Looking for open-access articles or searching for preprints on platforms like arXiv.
  3. Contacting the authors directly for a copy if permissible.

Example:

By following these solutions, students can effectively navigate the unique challenges of citing ACS Catalysis articles in APA 7th edition format.

Note: For general Journal Article citation errors, see How to Cite Journal Article.

Frequently Asked Questions About ACS Catalysis

Q: How can I find the necessary citation information on the ACS Catalysis website?

A: Navigate to the article of interest on the ACS Catalysis website and look for the 'Cite this' option, often found near the article title or abstract. This section typically provides all the necessary details, including authors, title, journal name, volume, issue, and page numbers.

Q: How should I format author names from an ACS Catalysis article in APA 7th edition?

A: List author names in the order they appear, using the surname followed by the initials, with a comma between multiple authors. For instance, Brown, J. K., & Smith, L. would be correctly formatted for two authors.

Q: How do I correctly cite the publication date of an ACS Catalysis article in APA format when only the year is available?

A: Use the year provided in the article's publication details. In the reference list, format it as (Year) immediately following the authors' names. If only the year is available, that's all you need to include.

Q: Are there specific URL or access requirements for citing ACS Catalysis articles in APA format?

A: Include the DOI if available, as it provides a permanent link to the article. If a DOI is not available, use the URL where the article can be accessed, ensuring it links directly to the article rather than the journal's homepage.

Q: How does citing an article from ACS Catalysis differ from other journal articles in APA format?

A: While the general APA format for journal articles applies, ACS Catalysis articles often have multiple authors and a DOI, which should be included. Pay attention to the journal's specific format for author names and publication details, ensuring these are accurately transcribed into your citation.

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