Nobel Prize in Chemistry

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry (Swedish: Nobelpriset i King Oscar II.[9][12][13] According to Nobels will, The
kemi) is awarded annually by the Royal Swedish Academy Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences were to award the
of Sciences to scientists in the various elds of chemistry. Prize in Chemistry.[13]
It is one of the ve Nobel Prizes established by the will
of Alfred Nobel in 1895, awarded for outstanding con-
tributions in chemistry, physics, literature, peace, and 2 Award ceremony
physiology or medicine. This award is administered by
the Nobel Foundation and awarded by Royal Swedish
Main article: Nobel Prize
Academy of Sciences on proposal of the Nobel Commit-
tee for Chemistry which consists of ve members elected
by Academy. The award is presented in Stockholm at The committee and institution serving as the selection
an annual ceremony on December 10, the anniversary of board for the prize typically announce the names of the
Nobels death. laureates in October. The prize is then awarded at formal
ceremonies held annually on December 10, the anniver-
The rst Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded in 1901
sary of Alfred Nobel's death. The highlight of the Nobel
to Jacobus Henricus van 't Ho, of the Netherlands,
Prize Award Ceremony in Stockholm is when each No-
for his discovery of the laws of chemical dynamics and
bel Laureate steps forward to receive the prize from the
osmotic pressure in solutions. From 1901 to 2016, the
hands of His Majesty the King of Sweden. The Nobel
award has been bestowed on a total of 174 individuals,
Laureate receives three things: a diploma, a medal and a
of which four have been women.[2]
document conrming the prize amount (What the No-
bel Laureates Receive). Later the Nobel Banquet is held
in Stockholm City Hall.
1 Background A maximum of three laureates and two dierent works
may be selected. The award can be given to a maximum
Alfred Nobel stipulated in his last will and testament of three recipients per year. It consists of a gold medal, a
that his money be used to create a series of prizes for diploma, and a cash grant.
those who confer the greatest benet on mankind in
physics, chemistry, peace, physiology or medicine, and
literature.[3][4] Though Nobel wrote several wills during 3 Nomination and selection
his lifetime, the last was written a little over a year before
he died, and signed at the Swedish-Norwegian Club in
Main article: Nobel Prize
Paris on 27 November 1895.[5][6] Nobel bequeathed 94%
of his total assets, 31 million Swedish kronor (US$198 The Nobel Laureates in chemistry are selected by a com-
mittee that consists of ve members elected by the Royal
million, Euro176 million in 2016), to establish and en-
dow the ve Nobel Prizes. Due to the level of skep- Swedish Academy of Sciences. In its rst stage, several
[7]
thousand people are asked to nominate candidates. These
ticism surrounding the will, it was not until April 26,
1897 that it was approved by the Storting (Norwegian names are scrutinized and discussed by experts until only
Parliament).[8][9] The executors of his will were Ragnar the laureates remain. This slow and thorough process, is
Sohlman and Rudolf Lilljequist, who formed the Nobel arguably what gives the prize its importance.
Foundation to take care of Nobels fortune and organise Forms, which amount to a personal and exclusive invita-
the prizes. tion, are sent to about three thousand selected individu-
The members of the Norwegian Nobel Committee that als to invite them to submit nominations. The names of
were to award the Peace Prize were appointed shortly af- the nominees are never publicly announced, and neither
ter the will was approved. The prize-awarding organ- are they told that they have been considered for the Prize.
isations followed: the Karolinska Institutet on June 7, Nomination records are sealed for fty years. In practice,
the Swedish Academy on June 9, and the Royal Swedish some nominees do become known. It is also common for
Academy of Sciences on June 11.[10][11] The Nobel Foun- publicists to make such a claim founded or not.
dation then reached an agreement on guidelines for how The nominations are screened by committee, and a list is
the Nobel Prize should be awarded. In 1900, the Nobel produced of approximately two hundred preliminary can-
Foundations newly created statutes were promulgated by didates. This list is forwarded to selected experts in the

1
2 4
Jacobus Henricus van 't Ho (18521911) was the rst person
to receive the Nobel Prize in Chemistry, for his discovery of the
laws of chemical dynamics and osmotic pressure in solutions.
eld. They remove all but approximately fteen names.
The committee submits a report with recommendations
to the appropriate institution.
While posthumous nominations are not permitted,
awards can occur if the individual died in the months be-
tween the nomination and the decision of the prize com-
mittee.
The award in chemistry requires the signicance of
achievements being recognized is tested by time. In
practice it means that the lag between the discovery and
the award is typically on the order of 20 years and can be
much longer. As a downside of this approach, not all sci-
entists live long enough for their work to be recognized.
Some important scientic discoveries are never consid-
ered for a Prize, as the discoverers may have died by the
time the impact of their work is realized. For example,
the contributions of Rosalind Franklin in discovering the
structure of DNA: her x-ray crystallography citing the
shape of DNA as a helix, were not realized until after
her death, and the recipients of the prize were Watson,
Crick, and Wilkins.
4 Prizes
A Chemistry Nobel Prize laureate earns a gold medal, a
diploma bearing a citation, and a sum of money.[14]
PRIZES
The Nobel Prize medallion.
4.1 Nobel Prize medals
The Nobel Prize medals, minted by Myntverket[15] in
Sweden and the Mint of Norway since 1902, are regis-
tered trademarks of the Nobel Foundation. Each medal
feature an image of Alfred Nobel in left prole on the ob-
verse (front side of the medal). The Nobel Prize medals
for Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, and Lit-
erature have identical obverses, showing the image of Al-
fred Nobel and the years of his birth and death (1833
1896). Nobels portrait also appears on the obverse of
the Nobel Peace Prize medal and the Medal for the Prize
in Economics, but with a slightly dierent design.[16][17]
The image on the reverse of a medal varies according to
the institution awarding the prize. The reverse sides of
the Nobel Prize medals for Chemistry and Physics share
the same design.[18]
4.2 Nobel Prize diplomas
Nobel laureates receive a diploma directly from the hands
of the King of Sweden. Each diploma is uniquely de-
signed by the prize-awarding institutions for the laureate
that receives it. The diploma contains a picture and text
which states the name of the laureate and normally a ci-
tation of why they received the prize.[19]
4.3 Award money
The laureate is given a sum of money when they receive
the Nobel Prize, in the form of a document conrming
the amount awarded; in 2009 the monetary award was
10 million SEK (US$1.4 million).[20] Due to budget cuts,
in 2012, the amount for each Nobel prize was 8 million
Swedish Krona, or US$1.1 million.[21] The amount of
prize money may dier depending on how much money

the Nobel Foundation can award that year. If there are
two laureates in a particular category, the award grant is
divided equally between the recipients. If there are three,
the awarding committee has the option of dividing the Specic
grant equally, or awarding one-half to one recipient and
one-quarter to each of the others.[22][23][24][25]
5 Laureates
Main article: List of Nobel laureates in Chemistry
6 Criticism
In recent years, the Nobel Prize in Chemistry has drawn
criticism among chemists who feel that the prize is more
[26]
frequently awarded to non-chemists than to chemists.
In the 30 years leading up to 2012, the Nobel Prize in [7] The Will of Alfred Nobel, nobelprize.org. Retrieved 6
Chemistry had been awarded ten times for work that re-
sides in biochemistry or molecular biology, and once to
a materials scientist. In the ten years leading up to 2012, [8] The Nobel Foundation History. Nobelprize.org.
only four prizes had been for work that is indisputably in
[26]
chemistry. Commenting on this issue, The Economist
writes that the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences is [9] Agneta Wallin Levinovitz: 2001, Page 13
bound by Nobels will, which specied only awards in
physics, chemistry, literature, medicine, and peace. Bi- [10] Nobel Prize History ". Infoplease. 1999-10-13. Re-
ology was in its infancy during Nobels day, which led to
no award being established. The Economist also points [11] Nobel Foundation (Scandinavian organisation)". Britan-
out that no Nobel Prizes are awarded for another major
discipline, mathematics, and that Nobels rigid not-more-
than-three-winners stipulation is not easily applicable to [12] AFP, Alfred Nobels last will and testament Archived
modern physics, in which progress is often made by huge
collaborations and not individual scientists. [27]
7 See also
Nobel laureates by country
Wolf Prize in Chemistry
Priestley Medal
Louisa Gross Horwitz Prize
List of Nobel laureates
8 References
General
All Nobel Laureates in Chemistry. Nobel-
prize.org. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
3
Nobel Prize winners by category (chemistry)".
Encyclopdia Britannica. Retrieved 2008-10-06.
[1] The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2016. Nobelprize.org.
[2] Facts on the Nobel Prize in Chemistry. nobelprize.org.
Retrieved 8 March 2017.
[3] History Historic Figures: Alfred Nobel (18331896)".
BBC. Retrieved 2010-01-15.
[4] Guide to Nobel Prize. Britannica. Retrieved 2013-06-
10.
[5] Ragnar Sohlman: 1983, Page 7
[6] von Euler, U.S. (6 June 1981). The Nobel Foundation
and its Role for Modern Day Science (PDF). Die Natur-
wissenschaften. Springer-Verlag. Retrieved 21 January
2010.
November 2007.
Archived from the original on January 9, 2010. Retrieved
2010-01-15.
trieved 2010-01-15.
nica. Retrieved 2013-06-10.
October 9, 2009, at the Wayback Machine., The Local(5
October 2009): accessed 20 January 2010.
[13] Nobel Prize" (2007), in Encyclopdia Britannica, ac-
cessed 15 January 2009, from Encyclopdia Britannica
Online:
After Nobels death, the Nobel Foun-
dation was set up to carry out the provi-
sions of his will and to administer his funds.
In his will, he had stipulated that four dif-
ferent institutionsthree Swedish and one
Norwegianshould award the prizes. From
Stockholm, the Royal Swedish Academy of
Sciences confers the prizes for physics, chem-
istry, and economics, the Karolinska Institute
confers the prize for physiology or medicine,
and the Swedish Academy confers the prize
for literature. The Norwegian Nobel Com-
mittee based in Oslo confers the prize for
peace. The Nobel Foundation is the legal
owner and functional administrator of the
funds and serves as the joint administrative
body of the prize-awarding institutions, but it
is not concerned with the prize deliberations
or decisions, which rest exclusively with the
four institutions.
4 9 EXTERNAL LINKS

[14] Tom Rivers (2009-12-10). 2009 Nobel Laureates Re-
ceive Their Honors | Europe| English. .voanews.com.
Retrieved 2010-01-15.
[15] Medalj ett traditionellt hantverk (in Swedish).
Myntverket. Retrieved 2007-12-15.
[16] The Nobel Prize for Peace, Linus Pauling: Awards,
Honors, and Medals, Linus Pauling and The Nature of
the Chemical Bond: A Documentary History, the Valley
Library, Oregon State University. Retrieved 7 December
2007.
[17] The Nobel Medals. Ceptualinstitute.com. Retrieved
2010-01-15.
Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Front and back im-
ages of the medal. 1954. Source: Photo by Eric
Arnold. Ava Helen and Linus Pauling Papers. Hon-
ors and Awards, 1954h2.1. All Documents and
Media: Pictures and Illustrations, Linus Pauling
and The Nature of the Chemical Bond: A Documen-
tary History, the Valley Library, Oregon State Uni-
versity. Accessed December 7, 2007.
Graphics: National Chemistry Nobel Prize shares
19012009 by citizenship at the time of the award
and by country of birth. From J. Schmidhuber
(2010), Evolution of National Nobel Prize Shares
in the 20th Century at arXiv:1009.2634v1

[18] Nobel Prize for Chemistry. Front and back images of
the medal. 1954, Source: Photo by Eric Arnold. Ava
Helen and Linus Pauling Papers. Honors and Awards,
1954h2.1, All Documents and Media: Pictures and Il-
lustrations, Linus Pauling and The Nature of the Chem-
ical Bond: A Documentary History, the Valley Library,
Oregon State University. Retrieved 7 December 2007.
[19] The Nobel Diplomas. Nobelprize.org. Retrieved 2014-
08-24.
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry Ocial site of the
Nobel Foundation.
The Nobel Prize Medal for Physics and Chemistry
Ocial webpage of the Nobel Foundation.
What the Nobel Laureates Receive Featured link
in The Nobel Prize Award Ceremonies.

[20] The Nobel Prize Amounts. Nobelprize.org. Retrieved

2014-08-24.

[21] Nobel prize amounts to be cut 20% in 2012. CNN.

2012-06-11.

[22] Sample, Ian (2009-10-05). Nobel prize for medicine

shared by scientists for work on ageing and cancer | Sci-
ence | guardian.co.uk. London: Guardian. Retrieved
2010-01-15.

[23] Ian Sample, Science correspondent (2008-10-07). Three

share Nobel prize for physics | Science | guardian.co.uk.
London: Guardian. Retrieved 2010-02-10.

[24] David Landes. Americans claim Nobel economics prize

The Local. Thelocal.se. Retrieved 2010-01-15.

[25] The 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics Press Release. No-

belprize.org. 2009-10-06. Retrieved 2010-02-10.

[26] What, Another Nobel Prize in Chemistry to a Non-

chemist?". Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 51:
17341735. 9 Feb 2012. doi:10.1002/anie.201108514.
Retrieved 13 Oct 2015.

[27] The Economist explains: Why is the Nobel prize in

chemistry given for things that are not chemistry?". 7 Oct
2015. Retrieved 13 Oct 2015.

9 External links
Green Fluorescent Protein 2008 Nobel Chem-
istry Award A great description of the work done
by the 2008 laureates.
 5

10 Text and image sources, contributors, and licenses

10.1 Text
Nobel Prize in Chemistry Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nobel_Prize_in_Chemistry?oldid=793811779 Contributors: Magnus
Manske, Kpjas, Brion VIBBER, Mav, Tarquin, Clasqm, Andre Engels, Fnielsen, Eclecticology, Danny, JeLuF, Christian List, Deb,
Azhyd, Montrealais, Youandme, Michael Hardy, Nwt, Willsmith, Mic, Lquilter, 168..., Ahoerstemeier, William M. Connolley, Med,
Jiang, , Mxn, BRG, Hashar, Timwi, David Newton, Stone, Lfh, Jay, Zoicon5, Kaare, Morwen, Fibonacci, Thue, Lord Emsworth, Se-
herr, Gentgeen, Robbot, Moondyne, Romanm, Sverdrup, Academic Challenger, Blainster, Caknuck, Rasmus Faber, Seth Ilys, Mikez,
Fastssion, Everyking, Curps, Cantus, Niteowlneils, Jfdwol, Gareth Wyn, DO'Neil, Bobblewik, Christopherlin, Wmahan, Stevietheman,
Chowbok, Icairns, Mormegil, A-giau, Rich Farmbrough, Uppland, ESkog, Chalst, Joanjoc~enwiki, Art LaPella, Claudine~enwiki, Grevlek,
DaveGorman, SpeedyGonsales, Obradovic Goran, Helix84, Jonathunder, Mdd, Espoo, Jumbuck, Red Winged Duck, Miranche, Christo-
pherWillis, SemperBlotto, KingTT, Dirac1933, Sam Vimes, Seansheep, HappyApple, Steinbach, Emerson7, Graham87, V8rik, BD2412,
Rjwilmsi, Stevenscollege, ChVA, Rune.welsh, Stevenfruitsmaak, Chobot, DVdm, EamonnPKeane, Sceptre, Gavrilis, Raquel Baranow,
Okedem, Shreshth91, NYScholar, Joshlk, WolFox, Jpeob, Theodolite, Denisutku, Npeters22, Curpsbot-unicodify, MagneticFlux, Lis-
towy, Diegofrieden, Luk, Itub, Frankie, SmackBot, David Kernow, Rokbas~enwiki, Jrockley, Edgar181, Gilliam, Bluebot, DStoykov,
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Abdaal, Pudeo, Eastlaw, Acne m, Yinchongding, Jarszick, Banedon, Dgw, Samuella99, Jac16888, Bkessler23, Reywas92, Michaelas10,
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Articles afb, DadaNeem, SJP, KCinDC, Robertgreer, NatePhysics, Funandtrvl, ACSE, VolkovBot, TXiKiBoT, Riraselbow, Sanfran-
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ClueBot, Franamax, Tomas e, Drmies, Joao Xavier, MARKELLOS, DragonBot, Zarathustra799, Makvlad, XLinkBot, Skarebo, Ad-
dbot, PaleWhaleGail, SunDragon34, Kaleal92, Glane23, Lihaas, Favonian, Hapsala, Chem-MTFC, Zorrobot, Luckas-bot, Yobot, Dere-
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EmausBot, Surlydu50, ScottyBerg, PoeticVerse, Skymandr, H3llBot, Hccc, Sunshine4921, BabbaQ, Ornithologician, Sonasathian, Clue-
Bot NG, Akuindo, Singhmahendra20, Lo Ximiendo, Emilindito, Cli12345, Vanischenu, NereusAJ, Tankerlator, Cyberbot II, Adib5271,
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Orion.piombo, Khin myint myat san, Timothyjosephwood, InternetArchiveBot, GreenC bot, Inimesh, Bender the Bot, JaCastro7, Lacka-
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