Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz Prize  2026

Armido Studer’s research is “marked by creativity and a spirit of innovation” in the chemistry of organic radicals, is how the DFG explained its decision. Studer develops sustainable synthesis processes with organic radicals. His work involves reactive molecules which have at least one unpaired electron. These radicals can be used to transfer molecular fragments to another place in a molecule. As a worldwide pioneer in green radical chemistry, Armido Studer established tin-free reactions and utilised the so-called TEMPO radical for new types of transformation of molecules. He shaped sustainable synthesis chemistry by means of innovative photocatalysis and triple catalysis, which led to groundbreaking studies in water activation. In the past few years, he has been investigating the concrete practical uses of electrons as catalysts. This concept has already been applied in a series of chemical reactions. In addition, Studer has made visionary contributions in other fields, for example the synthesis of metal nanoparticles and controlled radical polymerisation.