Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded for Metal‑Organic Frameworks

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded jointly to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for the development of metalorganic frameworks. 

This is a new form of molecular architecture that enables porous crystalline structures capable of capturing, storing, and transforming gases and other chemicals.

Metal‑organic frameworks, or MOFs, are built by linking metal ions as cornerstones with long organic molecules to create highly ordered crystals that contain large internal cavities through which gases and liquids can flow. 

By choosing different building blocks, chemists can design MOFs with tailored properties for tasks such as capturing carbon dioxide, removing persistent pollutants like PFAS from water, catalysing reactions or even harvesting water from arid air.

The laureates’ contributions span decades and complementary breakthroughs. 

Richard Robson, who was born in North Yorkshire but has been based at the University of Melbourne since 1966, first demonstrated the concept of three‑dimensional frameworks in 1989, showing how metal nodes and multi‑armed organic linkers could form spacious, ordered networks. 

Susumu Kitagawa, of Kyoto University, subsequently proved that these structures could be made flexible and that gases could move in and out of them.

Omar Yaghi, of the University of California, developed highly stable and rationally designed MOFs that could be tuned for specific functions.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences praised the work as “molecular architecture” and noted that, since the early discoveries, chemists worldwide have synthesised tens of thousands of distinct MOFs, opening a new materials toolbox with broad industrial and environmental applications. 

MOFs offer a rare combination of precise molecular design and large internal surface area, making them promising candidates for tackling climate change, pollution, and water scarcity if scalable manufacturing and lifecycle impacts can be managed.

Commercial interest is growing, as companies are exploring scale‑up routes to produce MOFs for real‑world use in carbon capture, water treatment and chemical separations.

The three winners will share the SEK 11 million prize. Robson, now 88, reflected that the award was not a complete surprise after years of recognition of the field, while Kitagawa described himself as “deeply honoured and delighted”.

“Every year we see Nobel Prizes given to chemists who welcome the challenge of finding solutions to the biggest problems our global society faces – better healthcare, environmental protection, clean energy, and secure food and water for everyone,” said president of the Royal Society of Chemistry in Britain, Dr Annette Doherty.

The announcement is the third science prize awarded in one week. John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret and John M. Martinis won the Physics Nobel for their work on quantum mechanics that paved the way for the quantum computer. 

Meanwhile, Shimon Sakaguchi, Mary Brunkow, and Fred Ramsdell’s work on how the immune system attacks hostile infections won them the prize for medicine.

The announcements will be followed by the Nobel Prize ceremony in December, when the winners formally receive the medals and diplomas.

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