Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021: The development of Asymmetric Organocatalysis

The 2021 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Benjamin List (Institut für Kohlenforschung, Germany) and David W.C. MacMillan (Princeton University, USA as well as member from the ICIQ Scientific Committee, Tarragona) for the development of a precise new tool for molecular construction: Asymmetric Organocatalysis.

The studies carried out over the past 20 years or so by each of the researchers separately have had a huge impact on the pharmaceutical industry and have made chemistry more environmentally friendly. The discovery of this type of catalysis facilitates efficiently build new products and even molecules that can capture light in solar cells. Undoubtedly, the chemistry discoveries made by both scientists represent a major benefit to humankind.

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