Three scientists have been awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their groundbreaking research on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for their pioneering discoveries in the field of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) a class of materials with vast potential to address some of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges, including carbon capture and plastic waste reduction.
The announcement was made by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences during a press conference in Stockholm, Sweden, recognizing the trio’s decades-long contribution to what the Nobel Committee described as “molecular architecture” the art of designing and assembling molecules into porous, crystalline structures that can trap, store, and filter gases or liquids with remarkable precision.
Professors Kitagawa, Robson, and Yaghi revolutionized chemistry by demonstrating how metal ions can be linked with organic molecules to form rigid, lattice-like frameworks featuring vast internal spaces. These cavities and channels, invisible to the naked eye, can be used to store gases such as hydrogen and carbon dioxide, purify water, or separate chemical compounds with high efficiency.
These metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are celebrated for their extraordinary surface area a single gram can have the internal area of several football fields making them invaluable in fields ranging from energy storage and drug delivery to environmental protection. The Nobel Committee hailed their discovery as a monumental step forward in materials science, opening up new frontiers for sustainable chemistry and green technology.
The three laureates hail from three continents, symbolizing the global nature of scientific innovation.
• Professor Susumu Kitagawa, based at Kyoto University, Japan, is recognized for developing the early conceptual framework for MOFs and demonstrating their potential for gas storage.
• Professor Richard Robson, from the University of Melbourne, Australia, was instrumental in revealing how metal atoms could serve as joints connecting organic linkers into crystalline networks.
• Professor Omar M. Yaghi, of the University of California, United States, extended the research by synthesizing the first robust, highly porous MOFs and proving their real-world applications in gas capture and catalysis.
Upon learning of the award, Professor Kitagawa expressed his gratitude and surprise during a live phone call to the news conference:
“I’m deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much,” he said, before adding with gentle humour, “How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting.”
The trio will share the 11 million Swedish kronor prize (approximately £872,000 or $1 million).
Their work has profound implications for tackling climate change particularly in the area of carbon dioxide capture and storage. MOFs could also enable the recycling of industrial emissions, cleaner fuel production, and plastic waste reduction through new catalytic processes. Scientists around the world are exploring how these structures might help build a cleaner, more energy-efficient future.
The Chemistry Nobel is the third science prize announced this week, following awards in medicine and physics:
• On Monday, the Nobel Prize in Medicine went to three researchers for their breakthroughs in understanding how the immune system fights infections, though one laureate, Dr. Fred Ramsdell, received the news 20 hours late due to being on an off-grid hiking trip.
• On Tuesday, the Physics Nobel was awarded to John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis for pioneering work in quantum mechanics, laying the foundation for quantum computing.
Last year, the Chemistry Prize went to Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker for their breakthroughs in protein structure prediction, transforming biological research. With this year’s recognition, the Nobel Committee underscores the growing importance of chemistry in solving global environmental and energy challenges, celebrating the fusion of scientific creativity and practical innovation embodied in the discovery of metal-organic frameworks.
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