Published: 7 October 2025NobelPrize.orgScience & Technology
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025: Kitagawa, Robson and Yaghi for Metal-Organic Frameworks
Susumu Kitagawa (Japan), Richard Robson (Australia), and Omar M. Yaghi (USA) were awarded the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) — a new type of molecular architecture where metal ions function as cornerstones linked by organic molecules to form porous crystalline materials.
MOFs have vast applications: harvesting water from desert air, capturing carbon dioxide, storing toxic gases, catalysing chemical reactions, extracting pollutants from water, and storing hydrogen. Their tuneable structures have enabled advances in gas storage, catalysis, and environmental remediation. Kitagawa (born 1951, Kyoto University), Robson (born 1937, University of Melbourne), and Yaghi (born 1965, UC Berkeley) pioneered this field.
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The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for the development of:
Explanation · Correct answer DThe 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi for the development of metal-organic frameworks. These porous crystalline materials are built from metal ions linked by organic molecules and can be used for gas storage, carbon capture, water harvesting and catalysis.
Frequently asked questions
What are the biographies of the 2025 Nobel Chemistry Prize winners?
The 2025 Nobel Chemistry winners are: **Susumu Kitagawa (born 1951, Kyoto University, Japan); Richard Robson (born 1937, University of Melbourne, Australia); Omar M. Yaghi (born 1965, UC Berkeley, USA, Jordan-born).** They pioneered metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
What is a tuneable MOF structure and why is it important?
**Tuneable MOF structures** mean that scientists can custom-design the pore size and chemical properties of metal-organic frameworks for specific applications. This tunability makes MOFs suitable for a wide range of uses from CO2 capture to drug delivery and hydrogen storage.
Can MOFs extract pollutants from water?
Yes, **MOFs can extract pollutants from water**, including PFAS (forever chemicals) and other contaminants. This is one of the key applications highlighted in the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry research, alongside water harvesting from desert air and CO2 capture.
How many different MOFs have been synthesised so far?
**Over 100,000 different MOFs have been synthesised to date**, with thousands more predicted by AI. This enormous variety reflects the tuneable nature of MOF structures, enabling scientists to design materials for specific applications across energy, environment, and medicine.
What contribution did Richard Robson make to the development of MOFs?
**Richard Robson at the University of Melbourne presented the pioneering porous framework in 1989** that metal ions and organic linkers could form extended porous networks. His foundational work showed that these crystalline frameworks could be constructed systematically, paving the way for Kitagawa's and Yaghi's advances.
