The 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry is awarded to Benjamin List from Germany's Max-Planck-Institut and David W.C. MacMillan from the US Princeton University "for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis," the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Wednesday.
"Building molecules is a difficult art. Benjamin List and David MacMillan are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 for their development of a precise new tool for molecular construction: organocatalysis ... Benjamin List and David MacMillan remain leaders in the field, and have shown that organic catalysts can be used to drive multitudes of chemical reactions. Using these reactions, researchers can now more efficiently construct anything from new pharmaceuticals to molecules that can capture light in solar cells. In this way, organocatalysts are bringing the greatest benefit to humankind," the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said in a statement.
In accordance with Alfred Nobel's will, the chemistry prize should go to the one "who makes the most important discovery or improvement" in this field. The award is presented by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. Its working body is the Nobel Committee on Chemistry, which consists of five to six members, who are elected by the Academy for three years.
About 3 thousand scientists from all over the world have the right to nominate for the prize, including members of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences and Nobel Prize winners in chemistry and physics, who received special invitations from the committee.
In total, there are 185 scientists in the list of laureates (including Frederick Sanger, who was awarded twice). There are seven women among them.