Nobel Prize 2025: Chemistry Awarded for Groundbreaking Molecular Frameworks

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been jointly awarded to Susumu Kitagawa (Kyoto University, Japan), Richard Robson (University of Melbourne, Australia), and Omar M. Yaghi (University of California, Berkeley, USA) for their pioneering contributions to the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)—nanostructured materials that can trap, store, and manipulate molecules with unprecedented precision.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences recognized the trio for designing these “molecular rooms,” crystalline structures formed by linking metal ions with organic molecules. These highly porous frameworks offer immense potential in addressing global challenges, from environmental sustainability to clean energy solutions.

MOFs are remarkable for their ability to capture and store gases such as carbon dioxide, methane, and hydrogen. Their unique design allows for selective adsorption and controlled release, enabling applications like greenhouse gas capture, water purification, catalysis, and hydrogen fuel storage. Scientists describe these materials as purpose-built molecular architectures, opening doors to innovative chemical processes and tailored reactions.

The journey of MOFs began in 1989 with Richard Robson, who experimented with assembling metal ions and organic molecules into spacious crystalline frameworks. Although initial attempts were unstable, they inspired further research. In the 1990s, Susumu Kitagawa demonstrated that these frameworks could flexibly absorb and release gases, highlighting their potential. Omar Yaghi later perfected the designs, introducing stability and precision that allowed chemists to fine-tune MOFs for specific applications.

Heiner Linke, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, emphasized, “Metal-organic frameworks offer transformative opportunities for creating customized materials with new functions.” Today, chemists have developed tens of thousands of MOFs with applications ranging from carbon capture and water harvesting to pollutant removal and chemical conversion.

The award celebrates not just a scientific breakthrough, but a technology with profound implications for sustainable development, environmental protection, and clean energy solutions, marking a significant step forward in humanity’s quest to solve some of its most pressing global challenges.