The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has announced the recipients of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This year’s award honors three distinguished scientists: Susumu Kitagawa from Kyoto University, Richard Robson from the University of Melbourne, and Omar M. Yaghi from the University of California, Berkeley. They received the prize for their pioneering work in developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs).
What Are Metal-Organic Frameworks?
Metal-organic frameworks are innovative molecular structures featuring large porous spaces. These frameworks enable the flow of gases and chemicals and offer various applications in environmental and industrial fields.
- Harvesting water from dry environments.
- Capturing carbon dioxide.
- Storing toxic gases.
- Catalyzing chemical reactions.
The versatility of MOFs lies in their ability to be customized, allowing chemists to design frameworks suited for specific tasks. By varying the metal ions and organic molecules, they can target the capturing and storing of distinct substances.
Milestones in Molecular Architecture
The journey of this significant discovery began in 1989, led by Richard Robson. He experimented with copper ions and a four-armed molecule, resulting in a crystal that, while structurally beautiful, was initially unstable.
Subsequent contributions from Susumu Kitagawa and Omar Yaghi, made between 1992 and 2003, provided the necessary stability and flexibility for these frameworks. Kitagawa’s research demonstrated the gas permeability of MOFs, while Yaghi created a stable version utilizing rational design to enhance their properties.
Impact on Modern Chemistry
Their groundbreaking discoveries have enabled the creation of tens of thousands of MOFs. Many of these materials are being explored for their potential to address key global challenges, such as:
- Removing per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) from water.
- Decomposing pharmaceutical residues in the environment.
- Sequestering atmospheric carbon dioxide.
- Extracting moisture from arid air.
Recognition and Prize Details
All three laureates will share the prize amount of 11 million Swedish kronor. This recognition highlights their innovative contributions to chemistry, potentially leading to advances that could benefit society at large.
For further information about the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 and the contributions of these scientists, visit El-Balad.
