Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to Kagan and Soai for untangling mirror images in molecules

Live updates

1. 1h ago

   Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Kagan and Soai

   Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work on asymmetric organic synthesis, specifically discovering non-linear effects and autocatalysis in mirror-image molecules. The prize honors their contributions to untangling chemical asymmetry and homochirality, providing chemists with precise control over molecular handedness. Their discoveries explain how chemical reactions can favor one mirror-image molecule over another by amplifying tiny molecular imbalances. This research has transformed modern medicine by aiding the understanding of how drugs function in the human body and helping develop countless pharmaceutical treatments.

   Why it matters

   Many biological molecules exist in two forms that are mirror images of each other, similar to human hands. Controlling which version of these mirror-image molecules is produced is a historic challenge in chemistry because identical chemical compositions can have vastly different biological effects. The laureates solved this century-old mystery by demonstrating how molecules can amplify their own handedness, allowing researchers to produce single versions of mirror-image compounds reliably. This capability is fundamental for the safety and efficacy of modern drugs.

   What is confirmed

   • Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry.
   • The award recognizes their discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
   • Henri B. Kagan is based at Universite Paris-Sud in France.
   • Their discoveries help explain how chemical reactions favor one mirror-image molecule over another.
   • The work has been used to develop numerous drugs and transformed modern medicine.

   What to watch next

   • Formal acceptance speeches and lectures by the laureates during the Nobel Prize ceremonies.
   Sources used for this update (21)

   1. The New York Times — Nobel Prize in Chemistry Is Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai
   2. The Guardian — Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror-image molecules
   3. Bloomberg.com — Two Share Nobel Prize for Untangling Chemical Asymmetry
   4. AP News — Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to Kagan and Soai for untangling mirror images in molecules
   5. Yahoo — Kagan, Soai share Nobel Prize in chemistry for work on homochirality
   6. www.latimes.com — Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded to Kagan and Soai for ...
   7. timesofindia.indiatimes.com — Nobel Chemistry 2026: How Kagan, Soai solved century-old ...
   8. theconversation.com — Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror‑image ...
   9. www.scientificamerican.com — 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Henri Kagan and ...
   10. www.theguardian.com — Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror-image ...
   11. www.tribdem.com — South African-born jurist Navi Pillay wins Nobel Peace Prize for her work in international justice
   12. www.nobelprize.org — Press release: Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 - NobelPrize.org
   confidence 100%