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 discovery sheds light on the spontaneous emergence of homochirality, a chemical mystery that has puzzled scientists for over a century, according to Heiner Linke, chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry. Kagan, 95, hailing from France, is associated with Université Paris-Saclay in Orsay, France, while Soai, born in Japan in 1950, conducts research at the Tokyo University of Science.
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences revealed the laureates in Stockholm, with Kagan and Soai set to share a prize amounting to 12 million Swedish crowns ($1.7 million Cdn).
The Nobel Prize in Literature is scheduled to be disclosed on Thursday, followed by the peace prize on Friday. The economics prize announcement is slated for Oct. 12.
The Nobel prizes are traditionally awarded on Dec. 10, the date of Alfred Nobel’s passing. In his will, the Swedish chemist and entrepreneur specified that his estate should be utilized to establish prizes honoring individuals who have made significant contributions benefiting humanity.