Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to two scientists for providing solution to a century-old mystery

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1. 2h ago

   Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded for Mirror-Image Molecules

   Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for solving a century-old mystery regarding chiral chemistry and mirror-image molecules. Many pharmaceutical drugs feature mirror chemical structures where one version helps patients while the other causes harm. Their Nobel-winning discovery provides chemists with a method to manufacture either form on demand. The prize announcement forms part of the annual Nobel Prize announcements taking place during October 2026.

   Why it matters

   Chirality, or a molecule's handedness, plays a vital role in determining whether a pharmaceutical compound acts as an effective treatment or a harmful agent. Scientists have long struggled with the challenge of producing specific mirror-image structures selectively. The breakthroughs by Kagan and Soai allow researchers to control this process precisely. This work addresses a long-standing chemical puzzle that has challenged researchers for roughly a century.

   What is confirmed

   • The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai.
   • The award honors solutions to the century-old mystery of mirror-image molecules and chiral chemistry advances.
   • The discovery allows chemists to create specific mirror chemical structures on demand.

   Still unconfirmed

   • Kenso Soai stated that he understood the significance of his research.

   What to watch next

   • Further official publications and lectures from the Nobel Foundation regarding the chemistry prize details
   • Reactions and analyses from the broader scientific community on applications in drug manufacturing
   Sources used for this update (24)

   1. time.com — Nobel Prizes: What to Know About 2026's Winners - TIME
   2. The New York Times — Nobel Prize in Chemistry Is Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai
   3. Reuters — Nobel chemistry prize goes to pair who solved mystery of 'mirror image' molecules
   4. Chemical & Engineering News — Chemistry Nobel awarded for chiral chemistry advances
   5. 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
   6. The Conversation — A molecule’s ‘handedness’ can determine whether it’s an effective drug – 4 examples of pharmaceuticals where chirality matters
   7. Interesting Engineering — Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to two scientists for providing solution to a century-old mystery
   8. www.cbsnews.com — Nobel Peace Prize 2026 awarded to Navanethem "Navi" Pillay, International Criminal Court judge
   9. NobelPrize.org — Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 - Popular information - NobelPrize.org
   10. The Japan Times — Nobel winner Kenso Soai says he understood the significance of his research
   11. jen.jiji.com — Trump, the agreement with Putin and the attack on Zelensky: "Ukraine needs another president"
   12. www.nobelprize.org — The official website of the Nobel Prize - NobelPrize.org
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