Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai were awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry on Wednesday for their pioneering work on nonlinear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.

Kagan is associated with Université Paris-Sud in Orsay, France, while Soai, 95, is affiliated with the Tokyo University of Science.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the laureates in Stockholm.

Last year, the chemistry Nobel was awarded to three scientists for developing innovative molecular structures capable of capturing large quantities of gas, research that could contribute to removing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and collecting water from arid environments.

The 2026 Nobel awards began with the medicine prize on Monday, which went to three scientists whose research contributed to the development of a light-based technique for studying the workings of the brain. On Tuesday, the physics Nobel recognised a scientist for research that helped shed light on a rare class of neutrinos.

The Nobel Prize in Literature will be announced Thursday, followed by the Peace Prize on Friday. The Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences is scheduled to be announced on Monday.

The Nobel prize carries a monetary award of 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to around $1.2 million, to be shared where there are multiple laureates or awarded to an individual or organisation.