Core Insights - A groundbreaking paper published in the prestigious journal Nature has stirred significant interest in the chemistry community, with reviewers praising it as a "true masterpiece" [1] - The research breakthrough comes from Zhang Xiaoheng, a seemingly ordinary researcher who has overcome a 140-year challenge in the field of aromatic molecule conversion [1] Research Background - Zhang Xiaoheng is not a prodigy but a graduate from Sichuan University, with a PhD from the Chinese Academy of Sciences and postdoctoral experience at Princeton, currently conducting research at the University of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Hangzhou [4] - His extensive experimentation involved testing hundreds of reagent combinations and adjusting reaction conditions over several years to determine the parameters for a "one-pot" reaction [4] Innovation in Chemical Processes - Traditionally, the conversion of aromatic molecules in pharmaceuticals and pesticide production relied on diazotization, a process that is cumbersome and hazardous due to the need for nitrous acid and strict low-temperature control [5] - Zhang's team innovatively abandoned traditional methods by directly attaching a nitroso "cap" to amines and using commonly available thionyl chloride in a one-pot reaction, simplifying the process without sacrificing yield and eliminating the need for expensive catalysts [5] Industrial Implications - This achievement is not merely academic; it represents a significant industrial breakthrough that can be directly applied to production lines, described as an "industrial bomb" [7] - For example, the synthesis of antibacterial drugs and herbicides, which previously required five steps, can now be completed in just two steps, leading to substantial cost reductions [7] - The discovery is deemed a major chemical finding that warrants recognition and should be rapidly transitioned into practical applications to benefit the chemical industry [7]