The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for their groundbreaking work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs)
The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025: Metal-Organic Frameworks
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 to three scientists: Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi. They developed metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These are special molecular structures with tiny rooms inside.
Metal-Organic Frameworks Transform Science
The MOFs allow gases and chemicals to flow through their spaces. This design makes MOFs useful for many purposes. For example, they can capture carbon dioxide, store toxic gases, or even harvest water from desert air. Richard Robson first made a roomy crystal by linking copper ions with four-armed molecules. However, this structure was weak and collapsed easily. Then, Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi improved it greatly.
Between 1992 and 2003, Kitagawa showed that gases could flow in and out of these structures. He also predicted that MOFs could be flexible. At the same time, Yaghi created stable MOFs that chemists can modify for new uses. Metal-organic frameworks have become a key tool in chemistry research today. Scientists have made over ten thousand different types of MOFs since their discovery.
Their uses go beyond labs. For instance, they help remove harmful PFAS chemicals from water and break down drug traces in the environment. These applications may help solve some serious global problems. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 highlights how combining metal ions with organic molecules creates new materials with useful properties. This work shows how clever design at the molecular level leads to major technological advances.
Why MOFs Matter in Today’s World
Metal-organic frameworks offer promising solutions for some of the biggest challenges facing our planet. For instance, capturing carbon dioxide is key to tackling climate change. MOFs’ ability to store gases means they might also improve batteries or clean water technology.
Applications That Can Change Our Future
Scientists have created tens of thousands of different MOFs so far. Some can remove harmful PFAS chemicals from water supplies or destroy pharmaceuticals contaminating ecosystems. Others help convert captured carbon dioxide into useful fuels or materials. Such versatility shows how chemistry, combined with smart design, creates tools that benefit both people and the planet.
Young students interested in chemistry can learn a lot from this discovery’s story. It teaches us about creativity, persistence, and teamwork in science.
Additionally, to stay updated with the latest developments in STEM research, visit ENTECH Online. Basically, this is our digital magazine for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Furthermore, at ENTECH Online, you’ll find a wealth of information.
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Ashwini Kshirsagar holds a graduate degree in Chemistry and a postgraduate degree in Environmental Science from Shivaji University, Kolhapur. With a strong foundation in scientific principles and a creative flair, she blends her expertise in environmental science with skills in technical writing, graphic design, and video editing. Proficient in Adobe software, Ashwini excels at transforming complex scientific concepts into clear, engaging, and visually compelling content. Her unique ability to merge science and storytelling allows her to create impactful communication materials that are both informative and accessible to a wide audience.