The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry to Susumu Kitagawa (Kyoto University, Japan), Richard Robson (University of Melbourne, Australia), and Omar M. Yaghi (University of California, Berkeley, USA) “for the development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs)”.
MOFs are molecular constructions with large cavities, allowing gases and chemicals to flow through them. These porous materials can harvest water from desert air, capture carbon dioxide, store toxic gases, or catalyze chemical reactions, offering solutions to some of the most pressing global challenges.
The Birth of a New Molecular Architecture
In their ground-breaking work, the laureates developed a novel form of molecular design in which metal ions act as cornerstones, linked by long organic (carbon-based) molecules. Together, these components form crystals with spacious cavities, creating porous frameworks that can be tailored for specific applications. “Metal–organic frameworks have enormous potential, bringing previously unforeseen opportunities for custom-made materials with new functions,” said Heiner Linke, Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.
Richard Robson: Laying the Groundwork
The journey began in 1989 when Richard Robson explored the inherent properties of atoms in a novel way. He combined positively charged copper ions with a four-armed organic molecule, each arm ending in a chemical group attracted to copper. The result was a well-ordered, spacious crystal, resembling a diamond filled with innumerable cavities. Although Robson immediately recognized the potential of this structure, it remained unstable and prone to collapse, requiring further innovation to unlock its full capabilities.
Kitagawa and Yaghi: Building Stability and Functionality
Between 1992 and 2003, Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi made complementary discoveries that stabilized and advanced MOF design:
- Kitagawa demonstrated that gases could flow in and out of MOFs and predicted that they could be made flexible for dynamic applications.
- Yaghi developed a highly stable MOF and showed that it could be rationally modified, giving it customizable properties for targeted chemical processes.
Their combined contributions provided a robust foundation for the widespread use of MOFs in modern chemistry.
A Revolution in Chemistry and Sustainability
Following these breakthroughs, chemists have synthesized tens of thousands of MOFs. These structures now play a role in:
- Separating PFAS from water
- Breaking down traces of pharmaceuticals in the environment
- Capturing carbon dioxide
- Harvesting water from desert air
As per the press release, MOFs represent a new class of functional materials, enabling solutions to global challenges in sustainability, energy, and environmental management.
Meet the Laureates
Susumu Kitagawa
Born: 1951, Kyoto, Japan
PhD: 1979, Kyoto University, Japan
Position: Professor, Kyoto University, Japan
Richard Robson
Born: 1937, Glusburn, UK
PhD: 1962, University of Oxford, UK
Position: Professor, University of Melbourne, Australia
Omar M. Yaghi
Born: 1965, Amman, Jordan
PhD: 1990, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, USA
Position: Professor, University of California, Berkeley, USA
