Three share Nobel chemistry prize
(AP)
Updated: 2005-10-05 18:02

France's Yves Chauvin and Americans Robert H. Grubbs and Richard R. Schrock won the 2005 Nobel Prize in chemistry Wednesday, for their work to reduce hazardous waste in forming new chemicals.

The trio won the award for their development for the metathesis method in organic synthesis.

The Nobel Prize committee honored the laureates for their findings in metathesis, which focuses on how chemical bonds are broken and made between carbon atoms.

The process is used "daily in the chemical industry, mainly in the development of pharmaceuticals and advanced plastic materials."

"This represents a great step forward for 'green chemistry,' reducing potentially hazardous waste through smarter production. Metathesis is an example of how important basic science has been applied for the benefit of man, society and the environment," the committee said.