2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Two Scientists for Discovery in Molecular Synthesis
Frenchman Henri Kagan and Japanese scientist Kenso Soai explained how one of two mirror forms of molecules arises in reactions, which is important for drug development, reports the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences named the laureates for work that demonstrated how one of two mirror forms of molecules spontaneously forms in chemical processes—a property essential for the production of effective pharmaceuticals.
The discoveries by Kagan and Soai helped understand homochirality—the phenomenon in which living organisms use only one version of a molecule. In 1986, Kagan proposed a method allowing the production of more of one form, and between 1995 and 2003, Soai proved the possibility of reactions where only one mirror variant is formed.
The prize of 12 million Swedish kronor will be divided equally between the laureates.
