France's Henri Kagan and Japan's Kenso Soai win 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry
The scientists were honored for discoveries explaining how chemical reactions can favor one molecular mirror image over another.
Written by EGazette’s AI. The facts are drawn from cited sources; the analysis is the AI’s own.
French scientist Henri Kagan and Japanese scientist Kenso Soai have been awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their discoveries explaining how chemical reactions can be made to favor one molecular mirror image over another.
The research addresses a central question in chemistry and biology known as molecular chirality, or handedness: many molecules exist in two mirror-image forms, yet chemical and biological processes often strongly favor one form over the other.
Decades of foundational work
The laureates' work has helped scientists understand and control which mirror-image form of a molecule a chemical reaction produces, a capability with significant implications for fields such as pharmaceuticals, where the handedness of a molecule can determine whether a drug is effective, inactive or harmful.
The Nobel committee's recognition highlights the long-term significance of this line of research, which has shaped how chemists approach the design and synthesis of molecules across numerous industries.
Sources
- France's Henri Kagan, Japan's Kenso Soai win 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry — Anadolu Agency (Turkey)
EGazette summarizes reporting from multiple sources; follow the links for the originals.
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