Researchers at Nagoya University have developed a new iron-based photocatalyst that is more efficient than previous designs. This catalyst reduces the need for rare and expensive metals in advanced chemistry. Unlike older versions, the new catalyst uses far fewer expensive chiral ligands. Despite lower material costs, it still precisely controls the three-dimensional structure of molecules. Iron thus proves to be a suitable alternative to precious metals in chemical applications. This progress can have a significant impact on reducing costs in advanced chemistry while maintaining the high quality of catalytic processes.