Nobel Prize in Chemistry Is Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai

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   Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai

   The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for their discoveries concerning non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. Announced on Wednesday, the prize recognizes the pair for solving a long-standing mystery regarding mirror-image molecules and molecular handedness, or chirality. Kagan, 95, is a professor emeritus at Universite Paris-Sud in France. Soai was born in Hiroshima, Japan, and serves as a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo. Their findings have proven decisive for chemists designing reactions to manufacture pharmaceuticals safely.

   Why it matters

   Many biological molecules and medications exist in left-handed and right-handed mirror-image forms, a property known as chirality. Controlling which mirror-image version is produced during chemical synthesis has historically challenged researchers. The awarded breakthroughs in autocatalysis and non-linear effects unlocked new methods for manipulating these reactions.

   What is confirmed

   • The 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai.
   • The prize was given for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
   • Henri Kagan is 95 years old, French, and a professor emeritus at Universite Paris-Sud.
   • Kenso Soai was born in Hiroshima, Japan, and is a professor emeritus at the University of Tokyo.
   • The discoveries solved a mystery regarding mirror-image molecules and helped drugmakers develop safer medications.

   What to watch next

   • Official Nobel Prize award ceremony and lectures by the laureates.
   • Announcements of any remaining 2026 Nobel Prizes not yet finalized in the annual cycle.
   Sources used for this update (24)

   1. time.com — Nobel Prizes: What to Know About 2026's Winners - TIME
   2. BBC — Nobel Prize in Chemistry awarded to Kagan and Soai
   3. The New York Times — Nobel Prize in Chemistry Is Awarded to Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai
   4. The Guardian — Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror-image molecules
   5. Reuters — Nobel chemistry prize goes to pair who solved mystery of 'mirror image' molecules
   6. Chemical & Engineering News — Chemistry Nobel awarded for chiral chemistry advances
   7. NobelPrize.org — They made chemistry choose a mirror image
   8. The Economist — A Nobel for illuminating life’s asymmetry
   9. Smithsonian Magazine — Two Chemists Win Nobel Prize for Unraveling a Mystery of Molecular 'Handedness,' Helping Drugmakers Develop Safer Medications
   10. Chemistry World — Explainer: what are autocatalysis and non-linear effects and why have they won the 2026 Nobel prize in chemistry?
   11. The Boston Globe — Scientists win chemistry Nobel for discoveries about mirrored molecules that led to many drugs
   12. www.scientificamerican.com — 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Henri Kagan and ...
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