The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has awarded the 2026 IUPAC–Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry to Professor Ronny Neumann of the Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, in recognition of his pioneering contributions to green and sustainable chemistry and his leadership in developing electrocatalytic production of ammonia from water and air at a low voltage.
Over the course of his career, Neumann has advanced the principles of green chemistry through innovative approaches to the activation of small molecules and the development of robust, molecularly designed catalysts based on polyoxometalates. His work combines detailed mechanistic insight with practical catalyst design, enabling new electrocatalytic processes that can replace energy-intensive high-carbon-footprint industrial reactions.
Among his most notable recent achievements is the development of an iron-based catalyst that enables the direct electrocatalytic reduction of nitrogen to ammonia using water as the proton and electron source. This process represents a potential zero-carbon alternative to the century-old Haber–Bosch process and opens the possibility of decentralized ammonia production that could improve fertilizer accessibility and global food security.
Neumann has also developed a molecular copper–iron electrocatalyst for the highly selective conversion of carbon dioxide to carbon monoxide under ambient conditions. This reaction produces an important feedstock for sustainable fuels and for the decarbonization of the steel industry.
Congratulating Neumann on the award, IUPAC President Prof. Mary Garson said: “His mechanistic insight and application of fundamental chemistry have significantly advanced the electrocatalytic synthesis of ammonia from air and water as an alternative to the energy-intensive Haber-Bosch process. His research has the potential to reduce the overall carbon footprint, to assist global food security, and to reduce reliance on global transport chains.”
IUPAC Past President Prof. Ehud Keinan added: “The IUPAC-Soong Prize recognizes individuals whose chemistry-related research directly supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals, emphasizing the crucial role of chemistry in addressing urgent global challenges.”
The inaugural IUPAC-Soong Prize, in 2025, honored Professor Omar Yaghi for his groundbreaking work in reticular chemistry. The Prize includes a certificate, a commemorative medal, and a monetary award of $30,000 (USD). This year, the Prize will be presented to Professor Neumann at the upcoming 10th EuChemS Chemistry Congress, 12-16 July 2026, in Antwerp, Belgium. The awardee is also invited to deliver a plenary lecture at National Taiwan University at a later date.
For more information on the IUPAC-Soong Prize and its mission, visit: https://iupac.org/what-we-do/awards/iupac-soong-prize/
> Announcement to be published in Chem Int.