<p>Many chemical transformations that are desirable at large scales either lack economically or environmentally sustainable catalytic solutions or require significant improvement. In many cases, identifying catalytic active centers that can perform these reactions under desired conditions and at acceptable rates, stabilities and selectivity has been difficult. One possible approach to overcome this issue is to design membrane–catalyst systems that can increase catalytic rates or selectivity. In general, this membrane–catalyst concept has been challenging to implement, optimize and even thoroughly study as the development of membranes and catalysts is usually undertaken in different scientific communities. Approaches where these two building blocks are co-optimized have not been rigorously explored. In this Perspective, strategies for integrating membrane and catalyst functionalities at molecular scales is explored, with the aim to develop reactive systems for difficult chemical transformations. Specifically, the challenges and opportunities of membrane–catalyst systems for oxidative and non-oxidative shale-gas conversion chemistries are critically examined.</p><p></p>