The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa (Japan), Richard Robson (Australia/UK), and Omar M. Yaghi (USA) for their pioneering work on Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) — a new class of porous materials with customizable structures and unprecedented applications in energy, environment, and chemistry.
Their work has transformed molecular architecture, enabling scientists to design materials atom-by-atom for a wide range of practical uses.
The announcement was made by The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
About the Discovery
Award Citation: “For developing Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), a novel molecular architecture with unprecedented porosity and tunable functionality.”
Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)
- MOFs are porous crystalline structures where metal ions act as cornerstones connected by organic (carbon-based) linkers.
- The resulting material resembles a molecular apartment building with cavities or pores, capable of capturing, storing, or filtering molecules.
- By changing the building blocks, scientists can customize MOFs for specific applications.
Scientific Innovation: Molecular Building Blocks
- Cornerstones: Metal ions form the nodes of the framework.
- Linkers: Organic molecules connect the nodes, creating stable 3D crystal lattices.
- Porosity: The structures have large internal cavities suitable for molecular storage.
- Tunability: MOFs can be engineered for specific functions, e.g., gas adsorption, water capture, or chemical catalysis.
This approach represents a revolution in chemistry, moving from passive materials to programmable molecular structures.
Applications of MOFs
Climate Change Mitigation:
- MOFs like CALF-20 can capture CO₂ from industrial emissions.
- Some MOFs break down per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), “forever chemicals” in water.
Water Harvesting & Scarcity Solutions:
- MOF-303 can extract water vapor from air, providing drinking water in arid regions.
Energy Storage:
- MOFs such as MIL-101 allow safe and dense hydrogen storage, enabling clean fuel applications.
Industrial & Laboratory Use:
- MOFs are used in reactors, semiconductors, and gas separation.
- Their customizable nature allows tailored solutions for environmental and energy challenges.
Significance of the Discovery
Scientific Impact:
- MOFs provide a tool to design materials atom-by-atom, creating entirely new functions.
- Offers insights into molecular-level engineering and chemical interactions.
Environmental Impact:
- Helps in carbon capture, pollution control, and water harvesting.
- Offers potential solutions for climate change, water scarcity, and energy storage.
Technological Impact:
- MOFs are integral to next-generation clean technologies, industrial catalysis, and fuel storage systems.
Background of Nobel Prize in Chemistry
- Established: 1901, by the will of Alfred Nobel, Swedish inventor of dynamite.
- Purpose: Recognizes exceptional contributions to chemistry that benefit humanity.
- Components: Gold medal, diploma, and cash award (2024: ~11 million SEK ≈ ₹10 crore).
- Awarding Body: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, Stockholm, Sweden.
About Laureates
| Name | Nationality / Affiliation | Contribution |
| Susumu Kitagawa | Japan | Pioneering work in design and synthesis of MOFs with unique porosity. Renowned for research on porous coordination polymers. |
| Richard Robson | Australia / UK | Conceptualized the molecular framework using metal nodes and organic linkers. Early contributions to coordination chemistry and framework structures. |
| Omar M. Yaghi | USA | Advanced practical applications of MOFs in gas storage, water harvesting, and catalysis. Developed reticular chemistry, foundational to MOFs and covalent organic frameworks (COFs). |
Key Facts
- Field: Chemistry
- Awarded since: 1901
- Awarding Body: Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences
- Country of Award: Sweden
- Prize Components: Gold Medal, Diploma, Cash Prize (~11 million SEK)
- 2025 Laureates: Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, Omar M. Yaghi
- Discovery: Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)- highly porous, customizable molecular structures.
- Applications of MOFs: Gas storage (H₂, CH₄), CO₂ capture, catalysis, sensing, and drug delivery. MOFs are considered a major breakthrough in materials chemistry, enabling solutions to energy, environmental, and biomedical challenges.