In this review we have discussed the utility of supramolecular polymersomes, micelles, dendrimers and nanogels in catalysis. Over the past decades, many groups have demonstrated the specific features which make these nanoreactors an advantageous choice for chemical synthesis. In particular, they combine a high active surface area with a good dispersion in solution and therefore are ideal structures for facile diffusion of reactants. Furthermore, the compartments protect the catalyst from undesired interactions with the environment, which can be either the solvent, specifically water, or other catalytic species. As a result they allow reactions to proceed in water and often at room temperature, with excellent yields and selectivities, which traditionally can only be achieved by performing catalysed reactions in organic media. Moreover, although they are homogenously dispersed in the solvent, the nanoreactors are still large enough to be separated from the reaction mixture using standard filtration protocols. Therefore, they enable a facile purification and catalyst reuse.