Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 awarded to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis
On 7 October 2026, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 jointly to Henri B. Kagan (France) and Kenso Soai (Japan) "for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis".
Summary
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on 7 October 2026 that the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 is shared equally by Henri B. Kagan of the then Université Paris-Sud, France, and Kenso Soai of Tokyo University of Science, Japan. The two were honoured "for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis", work that explains how homochirality (the presence of only one mirror-image form of molecules such as amino acids in living organisms) can emerge. Kagan took the first decisive step in 1986, and Soai designed a reaction in 1995 that achieved fully homochiral output in 2003; their discoveries are important for designing reactions to make pharmaceuticals. The prize amount is 12 million Swedish kronor, shared equally.
Key facts
- Prize
- Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026
- Laureates
- Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai (1/2 share each)
- Kagan
- Born 1930, Boulogne-Billancourt, France; Professor Emeritus, then Université Paris-Sud
- Soai
- Born 1950, Hiroshima, Japan; Professor Emeritus, Tokyo University of Science
- Motivation
- Discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis
- Key concept
- Homochirality: life uses only one mirror image of molecules like amino acids
- Kagan's step
- 1986: new way to create greater excess of one mirror image
- Soai's reaction
- Designed 1995; achieved homochiral reaction in 2003
- Prize amount
- 12 million Swedish kronor, shared equally
- Chair, Nobel Committee for Chemistry
- Heiner Linke
- Announced by
- Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, 7 October 2026
Practice MCQs 4 questions
Who were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026?
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Correct answer: C — Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 was awarded for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in:
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Correct answer: D — Asymmetric organic synthesis
Nobel Chemistry laureate 2026 Kenso Soai is associated with which institution?
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Correct answer: A — Tokyo University of Science
Consider the following statements about the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026: 1. The prize-winning work explains how homochirality, seen in the chemistry of life, can emerge. 2. Kenso Soai took the first decisive step in 1986. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
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Correct answer: A — 1 only