Nobel prize laureates for chemistry in the period 2000-2021

Abstract

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry has a long history since 1901. There were significant changes and discoveries in chemistry in the previous period, especially intensified in the period 2000-2021. There was the development of new scientific disciplines in chemistry, some of which became completely independent. Also, scientific discoveries are increasingly multidisciplinary and the result of the work of large scientific teams. However, all this is not accompanied by an increase in the number of areas for which the Nobel Prize is awarded. The classification of scientific achievements into one of the six areas for which the Nobel Prize is awarded is increasingly tricky due to their complexity and multidisciplinarity. In the period 2000-2021, the largest number of Nobel Prizes have been awarded for research in the field of biochemistry (11), organic synthesis (4), development of new methods and materials (4), and others (3). All this indicates the dominance of research in biochemistry and life sciences and its independence, which is not adequately accompanied by changes in the structure and areas for which the Nobel Prizes are awarded. In the near future, the Nobel Committee should consider this issue and harmonize it with modern trends in science.