Three Scientists Awarded 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Stockholm, October 8, 2025

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi.

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been jointly conferred upon Japan`s Susumu Kitagawa, Britain`s Richard Robson, and Jordan`s Omar Yaghi. The distinguished scientists are being recognized for their pioneering research and significant advancements in the realm of metal-organic compounds.

The Nobel Committee in Stockholm formally announced that “Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi were honored with the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing a novel form of molecular architecture.”

The Breakthrough: Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs)

According to the official press release, the laureates` groundbreaking work involved the creation of sophisticated structures where metal ions serve as foundational `building blocks.` These metal ions are meticulously interconnected by elongated, carbon-based organic molecules. This ingenious methodology culminates in the formation of crystalline materials that possess distinctively large internal cavities. These revolutionary compounds are globally recognized as Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs).

“Metal-organic frameworks possess immense potential, revealing previously unforeseen opportunities for tailoring materials with novel functionalities,” remarked Heiner Linke, the esteemed Chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry.

These incredibly versatile structures hold promise for a vast array of practical applications. Their potential uses span from effectively capturing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and efficiently extracting crucial water vapor from arid desert regions, to safely storing hazardous gases and serving as potent catalysts for various chemical reactions. Impressively, tens of thousands of unique metal-organic frameworks have already been successfully synthesized, underscoring the profound impact and expansive scope of this scientific field.

Profiles of the Laureates

Susumu Kitagawa, born in 1951, is a distinguished professor at Kyoto University in Japan, where he has conducted extensive research. Richard Robson, born in 1937, contributes his influential work at the University of Melbourne in Australia. Concurrently, Omar Yaghi, born in 1965, holds a prominent position at the University of California in the United States, furthering research in this vital area.