2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded for Breakthrough in Metal-Organic Frameworks

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Omar M. Yaghi, Susumu Kitagawa, and Richard Robson for their pioneering development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These innovative supermaterials feature the extraordinary ability to absorb specific molecules, with a single cubic centimeter exhibiting a surface area comparable to a football field. This property allows for the dense packing of molecules within their cavities, offering vast applications in science and industry.

Omar Yaghi, whose upbringing in a poor Jordanian village shaped his determination, credits his family's sacrifices for his success. He moved to the United States at age 15 to pursue education opportunities and emphasized that "failure was completely out of the question" in honoring his family's support. Yaghi described the process of creating MOFs as "like cooking," highlighting the precise and innovative nature of the materials’ synthesis.

The Nobel recognition underscores the transformative potential of MOFs across various fields, including gas storage, separation, and catalysis. Yaghi's journey from humble beginnings to Nobel laureate exemplifies the impact of perseverance and commitment to scientific advancement.

The trio's work not only advances chemistry but also paves the way for future technological applications that could address environmental and energy challenges globally.