Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai became the laureates of the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences honored them "for their discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis."
The announcement was made on Wednesday, October 7, 2026. As reported by the Nobel Foundation via the prize's official social media, the decision regarding the laureates was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences.
When and where the awards will be presented
Nobel awards are not presented on the day the laureates are announced. The solemn ceremony is traditionally scheduled for December 10 - the date of Alfred Nobel's death.
The location of the presentation depends on the prize category. Laureates in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine, and literature receive their medal and diploma in Stockholm. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded separately in Oslo.
What has already been announced during Nobel Week
The Chemistry Prize was one of the decisions of Nobel Week 2026. Laureates in several scientific nominations had already been named earlier.
On Monday, October 5, Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann, and Georg Nagel received the prize in medicine and physiology. They were honored "for their discoveries concerning light-gated ion channels and optogenetics."
The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Francis Halzen. The award citation was "for his decisive contributions to the IceCube neutrino observatory."
By Monday, October 12, the Nobel Committee is expected to name the laureates for the prizes in literature, peace, and economic sciences.
After all announcements are made, the laureates will await the December award ceremonies. It is then that the winners receive Nobel medals and diplomas in accordance with the rules of each nomination.
