Borrow

This one is about "Hydrogen borrowing", and more precisely on Pr Smith and Pr Donohoe's research on the field (see: 10.26434/chemrxiv-2023-30399)

"Hydrogen borrowing" in organic synthesis refers to a strategy where hydrogen atoms are temporarily borrowed and exchanged between different molecules during a chemical reaction. Using such strategy to create carbon-carbon bonds is a good and sustainable way to make compounds. It lets us use alcohols instead of other, less environmentally friendly chemicals. But, there's been a challenge – the process often doesn't work well with different types of molecules because it usually requires high temperatures and strong chemicals.
In this research, they have found a solution. By using a simple iridium catalyst at room temperature and adding just the right amount of other substances, they can make the process more flexible and tolerate different kinds of molecules. To make it work well, they have to carefully control the conditions to avoid damaging the catalyst.
This improved method is especially useful for making complex compounds that have nitrogen in them, which are often used in medicine. Thanks to this work, we can use alcohols with certain features that were difficult to use before in this type of reaction.