Announcement of the 'Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021':

The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 was awarded jointly to Benjamin List and David W.C. MacMillan “for the development of asymmetric organocatalysis.”  

What is "Asymmetric Organocatalysis"?

Benjamin List and David MacMillan are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021 because in 2000 they, independent of each other, developed a third type of catalysis (the other two are metals and enzymes). It is called asymmetric organocatalysis and builds upon small organic molecules.

Impact on pharmaceutical research:

This has had a great impact on pharmaceutical research and has made chemistry greener. 

The decision by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences:

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2021.