Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday for their discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.
Kagan is affiliated with Université Paris-Sud in Orsay, France, while Soai, 95, is affiliated with the Tokyo University of Science.
Henri Kagan and Kenso Soai win 2026 Nobel Prize in chemistry
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The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the laureates in Stockholm.
Last year, three scientists shared the chemistry Nobel for developing new molecular structures capable of trapping vast quantities of gas, work that laid the groundwork for technologies that could capture greenhouse gases from the atmosphere or harvest moisture in desert environments.
This year’s Nobel announcements began Monday with the prize in physiology or medicine, awarded to three scientists whose research led to a tool using light to help scientists understand how the brain works.
The physics prize followed Tuesday, recognizing work aimed at demystifying a rare group of neutrinos.
The Nobel Prize in literature is scheduled to be announced Thursday, followed by the peace prize Friday. The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences will be announced Monday.
Each Nobel prize this year carries an award of 12 million Swedish kronor, about $1.2 million, whether it goes to an individual, a small group of laureates or an organization.