The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa of Japan, Richard Robson of Australia, and Omar M Yaghi of the USA for their groundbreaking work in developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are innovative materials made of metal ions linked by organic molecules, forming highly porous structures with vast internal cavities.
These frameworks have transformative applications in gas storage, catalysis, environmental cleanup, and even water harvesting from air. The Nobel Committee highlighted the “enormous potential” of MOFs for enabling the creation of custom-designed materials with novel functions. Susumu Kitagawa pioneered the synthesis of porous coordination polymers, laying the foundation for MOFs. Richard Robson demonstrated the potential of MOFs in 1989 by combining copper ions with a four-armed organic molecule.
Omar M Yaghi advanced the field by developing methods to design and synthesize MOFs with specific properties, leading to their widespread applications. The official award ceremony will take place on December 10, 2025, at the Stockholm Concert Hall and the Stockholm City Hall, marking the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death.
