Two scientists win 2026 Nobel Chemistry Prize for breakthrough in organic synthesis

Scientists Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai have won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on asymmetric organic synthesis, the Nobel committee announced on Wednesday.

The two scientists were recognised “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis”.

The Chemistry Prize is the third Nobel to be announced this week, following the Medicine award on Monday and the Physics Prize on Tuesday.

Heiner Linke, chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, explained that this year’s award focuses on the behaviour of molecules that can exist in two mirror-image forms.

He compared these molecules, known as chiral molecules, to human hands. Although the left and right hands look alike, they cannot be perfectly placed over each other because they are mirror images.

The Nobel Prizes were established through the will of Swedish inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel. Awards in science, literature and peace have been presented since 1901, apart from a number of interruptions, mainly during the world wars.

Nobel made his fortune from inventions, including dynamite, before leaving much of his wealth to establish the prizes. The economics award was created later through funding from Sweden’s central bank.

Chemistry laureates have been recognised for major scientific advances over the years, including discoveries related to nuclear fission and genetic sequencing.

Last year, the Chemistry Prize went to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi for developing metal-organic frameworks, which have potential applications in areas including climate change and access to clean water.

Kagan and Soai will receive their medals from Sweden’s King Carl XVI Gustaf at a ceremony in Stockholm on December 10, the anniversary of Nobel’s death.

The laureates will share prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor, worth about $1.2 million.

The Nobel Peace Prize is the only award presented outside Sweden and will be handed out separately in Oslo.