| Citation | Ryoji Noyori, 2001 Nobel Prize winner for Chemistry, is distinguished for his pioneering work in asymmetrical catalysis for organic synthesis. Chemistry based on the BINAP ligand invented by Noyori is used in industry and academia worldwide. His major accomplishments include the development of practical asymmetrical hydrogenation of olefines and ketones using chiral Ru-BINAP complexes and Rhodium catalysed asymmetric isomerisation of geranylamine to citronellal enamine; demonstrations of the general utility of dynamic kinetic resolution in asymmetric catalysis; invention of chiral Ruthenium catalysts for asymmetric transfer hydrogenations; discovery of enantioselective additions of dialkylzincs to aldehydes and elucidation of the mechanism of the chirality amplification phenomenon. |