Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Kagan and Soai

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1. 1h ago

   Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai

   Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai have won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their research into mirror-image molecules and chemical asymmetry. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award in Stockholm, recognizing the French and Japanese scientists for their discoveries of nonlinear effects and asymmetric autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. Their work explains life's underlying asymmetry and allows chemists to manipulate chemical reactions more precisely. Many pharmaceuticals exist in two mirror-image structures where one is helpful and the other harmful, making this discovery vital for drug manufacturing.

   Why it matters

   Chirality, or handedness, dictates how molecules interact within biological systems, which determines the effectiveness and safety of various drugs. For decades, scientists struggled to understand how slight imbalances in chemical reactions could amplify into pure mirror-image forms. The discoveries made by Kagan and Soai solved this mystery, allowing chemists to synthesize specific desired molecular forms on demand.

   What is confirmed

   • Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
   • The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award on October 7.
   • The laureates were recognized for discoveries of nonlinear effects and asymmetric autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
   • The research resolves the mystery of mirror images and chemical asymmetry in molecules.

   What to watch next

   • Official Nobel Prize award ceremony and lectures in Stockholm
   Sources used for this update (18)

   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 Guardian — Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror-image molecules
   4. Chemistry World — The Nobel prize in chemistry 2026 as it happens – Live
   5. Bloomberg.com — Two Share Nobel Prize for Untangling Chemical Asymmetry
   6. Reuters — Nobel chemistry prize goes to pair who solved mystery of 'mirror image' molecules
   7. The Economist — A Nobel for illuminating life’s asymmetry
   8. The Conversation — Many drugs have mirror chemical structures, one helpful and the other harmful – a Nobel-winning discovery allows chemists to make either on demand
   9. The Conversation — A molecule’s ‘handedness’ can determine whether it’s an effective drug – 4 examples of pharmaceuticals where chirality matters
   10. www.nbcnews.com — Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai
   11. mainichi.jp — Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in chemistry - The Mainichi
   12. news.sbs.co.kr — Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai for Homochirality Research
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