French-Japanese duo wins 2026 Nobel Chemistry Prize

French scientist Henri Kagan and Japanese scientist Kenso Soai have won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.

The Nobel Committee for Chemistry announced the award on Wednesday, recognising research that has contributed to a deeper understanding of how certain chemical reactions can produce molecules with a specific three-dimensional structure.

Explaining the significance of the discovery, the committee highlighted the concept of chirality. Many molecules exist in two forms that are mirror images of each other but cannot be perfectly aligned. These forms can behave differently in chemical and biological systems.

The committee described this area as fundamental chemistry, with asymmetric synthesis playing an important role in producing molecules with desired structures. Autocatalysis, meanwhile, involves a chemical reaction in which a product helps accelerate the same reaction.

The Chemistry Nobel is the third science prize announced during this year’s Nobel week, following the awards in medicine and physics.

The Nobel Prizes were established through the will of Swedish inventor and businessman Alfred Nobel. The awards have been presented since 1901, recognising major contributions to science, literature and peace, with some interruptions during the world wars.

The chemistry category has honoured discoveries that have had a lasting impact on science, including breakthroughs in nuclear fission, genetic sequencing and molecular chemistry.

The 2025 Chemistry Nobel was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar Yaghi for developing metal-organic frameworks, which have potential applications in areas including environmental protection and water management.

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

The laureates will also share a prize of 12 million Swedish crowns, equivalent to around $1.2 million. The Nobel celebrations will conclude with the traditional banquet at Stockholm City Hall.

The Nobel Peace Prize is presented separately in Oslo, while the other Nobel awards are handed out in Sweden.