Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025: Introduction
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for their groundbreaking work in developing metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) — a revolutionary form of molecular architecture that has transformed materials science and environmental chemistry.
Redefining Molecular Design
This year’s award recognizes the trio’s efforts in creating porous materials with vast internal spaces that can store, capture, and release molecules — likened by the Nobel Committee to Hermione’s magical handbag from Harry Potter for their ability to hold an enormous amount within a tiny volume.
The journey began in 1989 when Richard Robson pioneered early coordination networks combining metal ions with organic molecules. Although his early models lacked stability, they laid the foundation for future breakthroughs.
Susumu Kitagawa advanced this research by proving that gases could flow in and out of these structures, while Omar Yaghi introduced the concept of reticular chemistry, a systematic method of building crystalline materials using modular building blocks. His innovation led to the creation of robust, tunable frameworks with precisely defined pores — the hallmark of modern MOFs.
A World of Possibilities
Metal–organic frameworks have become one of the most versatile classes of materials in modern chemistry. Their customizable structures allow scientists to fine-tune pore sizes and chemical properties for specific applications, including:
- Capturing carbon dioxide to help combat climate change.
- Harvesting water from desert air, offering new hope for arid regions.
- Storing gases such as hydrogen or methane in compact, safe forms.
- Filtering pollutants and removing toxic chemicals from air and water.
- Serving as catalysts to accelerate and control chemical reactions.
These applications position MOFs at the heart of future solutions to some of humanity’s most pressing challenges — from environmental sustainability to clean energy.
The Laureates Behind the Discovery
Omar M. Yaghi, born in Jordan to a family of Palestinian refugees, moved to the United States at age 15 and later became a U.S. citizen. His passion for hands-on chemistry and visionary approach to molecular design led him to develop reticular chemistry, giving scientists the tools to assemble matter like molecular Lego blocks.
Susumu Kitagawa, a professor at Kyoto University, has dedicated his career to advancing functional materials, while Richard Robson of the University of Melbourne remains celebrated for initiating the early conceptual framework that sparked this global field of study.
Challenges and the Road Ahead
Despite their promise, MOFs still face hurdles before large-scale implementation. Producing them economically at industrial levels, ensuring long-term stability under real-world conditions, and integrating them into commercial systems all remain active research areas. Scientists are also exploring how artificial intelligence and machine learning can accelerate MOF design and discovery.
A New Era of Chemistry
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 celebrates more than just an invention — it honors a new way of thinking about matter. It marks chemistry’s evolution from discovering materials to designing them with purpose.
As Heiner Linke, chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, described, MOFs open “rooms for chemistry” — new spaces within molecules where innovation can unfold. Their potential to capture carbon, harvest water, and purify the environment may well define the next chapter in sustainable science.
