Nobel Prize for chemistry honours ‘greener’ way to build molecules

Goran K Hansson, permanent secretary of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, centre, announces the winners of the 2021 Nobel Prize in chemistry (Claudio Bresciani/TT New Agency via AP)

Two scientists have won the Nobel Prize for chemistry for finding an “ingenious” and environmentally cleaner way to build molecules that can be used to make everything from medicines to food flavourings.

The work of Benjamin List of Germany and Scotland-born David WC MacMillan has allowed scientists to produce those molecules more cheaply, efficiently, safely, and with significantly less environmental impact.