2024 Organic Chemistry Horizon Prize: Perkin Prize in Physical Organic Chemistry winner
Molecular Strainers
Awarded for the creative advancement of strained intermediates involving cumulated cyclic dienes and trienes.
Molecular Strainers is a team of experimental and theoretical chemists led by Professors Neil Garg and K N Houk at the University of California, Los Angeles. They have developed methods using previously avoided strained molecules, explored them computationally, and demonstrated their use in multistep synthesis.
| Year | Name | Institution | Citation |
| 2023 | The Molecular Ratcheteers | Directing chemical systems with ratchet mechanisms | Awarded for breakthroughs in catalysed non-equilibrium systems, particularly molecular ratchet mechanisms, that have provided fundamental insights into the dynamics of matter. |
| 2022 | Team P(V) | A new approach to oligonucleotide synthesis | Awarded for the discovery of a sustainable and scalable platform of P(V) reagents for the synthesis of stereodefined and variable phosphate chimeric oligonucleotides, and their application to phosphorylation, bioconjugation, and chiral phosphine synthesis. |
| 2021 | Pericyclases | Revealing the mechanisms of pericyclase enzymes | Awarded for the discovery of a new class of enzymes, the pericyclases, that catalyse reactions in biosynthesis of complex natural products, and for identifying their mechanisms. |
| 2021 | Uncovering the hidden paths in C–H activation catalysis | Awarded for the development of a unique approach for directly observing transient species and key bond-forming steps that underpin transition metal-catalysed C–H activation and functionalisation reactions. | |
| 2021 | Multidimensional Click Chemistry | A new dimension for click chemistry | Awarded for the development of multidimensional click chemistry, a next-generation click-technology that extends bond creation into the three-dimensional world, opening doors to new frontiers in biomedicine, materials science, and beyond. |
Re-thinking recognition: Science prizes for the modern world
This report is the result of an independent review of our recognition programmes. Our aim in commissioning this review was to ensure that our recognition portfolio continues to deliver the maximum impact for chemical scientists, chemistry and society.