Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking work on non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences revealed the laureates in Stockholm, with Kagan, 95, from France, associated with Université Paris-Saclay, and Soai, born in Japan in 1950, conducting research at the Tokyo University of Science.
The Nobel Committee for Chemistry praised Kagan and Soai for unraveling a chemical enigma dating back over a century – the spontaneous emergence of homochirality. Their developed chemical reactions have revolutionized the field, particularly aiding chemists in designing reactions for pharmaceutical manufacturing.
The esteemed award comes with a prize sum of 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.7 million Cdn) to be shared by the two laureates. Kagan and Soai expressed their elation upon receiving the news, with Soai describing it as one of the most thrilling days of his life. The Nobel Prize in Literature announcement is scheduled for Thursday, followed by the peace prize on Friday, and the economics prize on October 12.
Alfred Nobel’s legacy lives on with the annual presentation of the Nobel prizes on December 10, in accordance with his will, where the bulk of his estate funds prizes for individuals who have made significant contributions benefiting humanity.