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With the gradual depletion of oil resources, it is urgent to vigorously develop unconventional and renewable energy sources. As an unconventional resource with abundant resources, the rational and efficient development of oil shale is of great significance to alleviating the national energy crisis. The main methods of oil shale development are surface dry distillation and in situ transformation. In situ catalytic conversion technology, as an emerging mining method, has the potential to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and environmental impact and is an important direction for future oil shale development. As a key component in the in situ conversion process, catalysts play a crucial role in the rate, selectivity, and product quality of the reaction. However, the research on oil shale pyrolysis catalysts is still in the laboratory stage and is difficult to translate into practical applications. Therefore, this paper reviews recent progress of catalyst research in the in situ catalytic conversion of oil shale, including the types, design principles, and reaction mechanisms of catalysts, and looks forward to the future development direction. It provides a certain reference for the discovery of new catalysts that can improve yield and reduce environmental pollution in the process of oil shale extraction and also provides a valuable technical reference for the green development and utilization of unconventional and strategic alternative energy sources in the world and the transformation and sustainable development of the global energy structure., Competing Interests: The authors declare no competing financial interest., (© 2024 The Authors. Published by American Chemical Society.)