Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in chemistry

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1. 1h ago

   Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai Win 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

   Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry in Stockholm for their groundbreaking discoveries regarding non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. The Nobel committee honored the duo for developing new ways of manipulating chemical reactions to solve a long-standing scientific mystery involving mirror-image molecules and molecular homochirality. Their foundational research explains how chemical processes can generate an overwhelming excess of a single mirror-image molecular form, advancing pharmaceutical development and deepening the scientific understanding of how medicines function.

   Why it matters

   Many biological molecules exist in two distinct forms that are mirror images of each other, a property known as chirality. Controlling which of these mirror-image forms is produced during a chemical reaction has historically challenged scientists because biological systems typically rely exclusively on only one of those versions. The award-winning findings have transformed how researchers approach asymmetric organic synthesis and molecular manipulation.

   What is confirmed

   • Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
   • The Nobel committee recognized the laureates for their efforts to resolve mysterious mirror images in chemical molecules.
   • Their research demonstrates how chemical reactions can produce molecules in only one of two mirror-image forms.

   What to watch next

   • Official lectures and prize acceptance ceremonies in Stockholm.
   Sources used for this update (19)

   1. BBC — Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Kagan and Soai
   2. The New York Times — Nobel Prize in Chemistry Is Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai
   3. The Economist — A Nobel for illuminating life’s asymmetry
   4. Chemistry World — Explainer: what are autocatalysis and non-linear effects and why have they won the 2026 Nobel prize in chemistry?
   5. NPR — Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in chemistry
   6. Houston Public Media — This Rice University professor has helped pick more than a dozen Nobel Prize winners
   7. www.nobelprize.org — Press release: Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 - NobelPrize.org
   8. www.nbcnews.com — Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai
   9. www.ctvnews.ca — Nobel Prize in chemistry: Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai
   10. mainichi.jp — Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in chemistry - The Mainichi
   11. www.gulftoday.ae — Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in chemistry
   12. news.careers360.com — Nobel Peace Prize 2026: Indian-origin Navi Pillay honoured for work on peace, international law
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