New Delhi, October 7 (IANS). The Chemistry Nobel Prize for 2026 has been announced. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences honored France's Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soei of Japan for their “discovery of non-linear effects and auto-catalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis”.
He worked on the process of selecting 'mirror images' in chemistry. Both scientists have solved a 100-year-old mystery of chemistry. He explained how in a chemical process only one form of two molecules can be created like mirror images of each other. This discovery can play an important role in making many types of chemicals including medicines.
The committee member tried to explain it in simple language through an experiment. He said that both our hands look almost the same, but the left hand cannot replace the right and the right cannot replace the left. Some molecules are also like this. They have two forms. Both are mirror images of each other. The problem arises when scientists create such molecules, sometimes both forms are formed simultaneously. This does not solve the problem.
One form of a drug may work on a disease in the body, while its mirror image may cause harm. Therefore, scientists wanted only the required molecule to be made.
It was not just a drug problem. An example of this is found in our body also. Amino acids can have two mirror image forms, but the body uses only one of the forms to make proteins.
Henry B. Kagan In 1986, one Henry Kagan discovered a new way to control a chemical reaction, allowing more of one of the mirror images to be created. Their discovery is revolutionary for chemists who develop reactions to create medicines, flavors, fragrances and new materials.
After this Kenso Soi took this work forward. He designed a chemical reaction in which only one of the possible mirror images was formed. It further helps in creating more molecules like itself.
The winners of the Nobel Prize will be honored in Stockholm, the capital of Sweden in December. They will be given medal, diploma and prize money. The amount of Nobel Prize in 2026 is around Rs 11.5 crore.
From October 6, announcements regarding the Nobel Prize are being made in various fields. On Tuesday, Belgian scientist Francis Halzen received the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics. He has been given this award for his important work in capturing and detecting extremely powerful neutrinos coming from space to Earth.
–IANS
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