Kagan and Soai Receive Chemistry Nobel for Discoveries in Molecular Asymmetry
Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai have received the 2026 chemistry Nobel for research into reactions that favour one mirror-image form of a molecule.
Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai have won the 2026 Nobel Prize in chemistry for discoveries concerning molecular asymmetry, according to New Scientist, NPR, BBC News and The Guardian.
NPR identified the recognised discoveries as non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. New Scientist described their work as helping molecules form the correct mirror images.
The Guardian explained that their discoveries showed how chemical reactions can produce a large excess of one of two mirror-image forms of a molecule. It also reported that the work has contributed to understanding how medicines function in the body.
BBC News characterised the achievement as solving the mystery of life’s asymmetry, identifying the recipients as French and Japanese scientists.
The Guardian placed Kagan at Paris-Sud University in France and Soai at Tokyo University of Science in Japan.
Sources
- New Scientist: Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror molecules
- NPR: Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai win Nobel Prize in chemistry
- BBC News: Chemistry Nobel awarded for solving mystery of life's asymmetry
- The Guardian: Nobel prize in chemistry awarded for work on mirror-image molecules
- The Guardian: This is what the 2026 Nobel prize for chemistry is all about
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