Two Scientists Win Nobel Chemistry Prize For Research On Molecular Reactions

Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai have won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their work on non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis, according to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.

Kagan, affiliated with Université Paris-Sud in France, and Soai, a 95-year-old scientist at the Tokyo University of Science, were announced as this year’s chemistry laureates in Stockholm.

Their research was recognized for advancing understanding of chemical processes involved in asymmetric organic synthesis, an area of chemistry focused on producing molecules with specific three-dimensional arrangements.

The Nobel Prize in Literature is scheduled for Thursday, followed by the Peace Prize on Friday. The economics prize will be announced Monday.

Each Nobel award this year carries 12 million Swedish kronor, worth about $1.2 million.

Related Tweet:

BREAKING: Japanese scientist Kenso Soai and France's Henri B. Kagan have been awarded the Nobel Prize in chemistry “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.” 👉 https://t.co/ikfA0gIcBZ #NobelPrize https://t.co/QhCOCErVd8

— The Japan Times (@japantimes) October 7, 2026

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