Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work on non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. Their research has solved a long-standing chemical mystery about how homochirality can occur naturally, which is crucial for designing reactions used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Kagan is affiliated with Université Paris-Sud in France, while Soai, at 95, is connected to the Tokyo University of Science. The “Soai reaction,” named after Soai’s experiment, is a key part of their discovery. This award follows other Nobel Prizes this week in medicine and physics, with literature and peace prizes to be announced soon. The prize includes 12 million Swedish kronor, approximately $1.2 million.
QUESTION: How might the discoveries of Kagan and Soai influence future developments in medicine and technology?
Scientists win chemistry Nobel for discoveries about mirrored molecules that led to many drugs
