Scientists Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
The award-giving body announced the laureates on Wednesday, making chemistry the third Nobel prize to be presented this week after the medicine and physics awards announced on Monday and Tuesday.
Heiner Linke, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, said this year’s award recognises foundational work in chemistry involving chiral molecules, which exist in two forms that are mirror images of each other but are not identical.
“So this year’s prize is about foundational chemistry. Many molecules occur in two different versions. Like my hands. They are one another’s mirror image, they look alike, but they are not identical. I cannot put my hands on top of one another. Such molecules are called chiral, from the Greek word for hand,” Linke said.
The Nobel Prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace were established through the will of Swedish inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel and have been awarded since 1901, with interruptions largely caused by the world wars.
Nobel, who was a chemist, built his wealth in the 19th century through inventions linked largely to warfare, most notably dynamite. The economics prize was introduced later and is funded by Sweden’s central bank.
While the chemistry prize can receive less attention than awards in physics, literature and peace, it has recognised major scientific advances, including nuclear fission and genetic sequencing techniques.
Last year’s chemistry prize was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi for developing metal-organic frameworks, molecular structures that can help address challenges including climate change and freshwater shortages.
Kagan and Soai will receive their medals from Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
The ceremony will be followed by a banquet at Stockholm City Hall. The laureates will share a prize of 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.2 million).
The Nobel Peace Prize, the only Nobel award not presented in Sweden, is awarded separately in Oslo.
Ojo Triumph
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