On October 8, 2025, the world of chemistry celebrated a remarkable leap forward in molecular science as Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi were awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for their pioneering work on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). These versatile molecular structures—likened by the Nobel Committee to Hermione Granger’s enchanted handbag from the Harry Potter series—are revolutionizing how scientists think about storing and capturing gases, with transformative implications for climate change, clean water access, and industry at large.
Announced in Stockholm by Hans Ellegren, secretary-general of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, this year’s prize recognizes decades of independent yet mutually reinforcing breakthroughs. Robson, 88, of the University of Melbourne, first laid the groundwork in the 1980s, with Kitagawa, 74, of Kyoto University, and Yaghi, 60, of the University of California, Berkeley, building on and expanding the field in the years since. The trio’s work, according to the Nobel Committee, “may contribute to solving some of humankind’s greatest challenges,” from pollution and greenhouse gas emissions to water scarcity and beyond (Associated Press).
So, what exactly are MOFs? Imagine a structure that, though small on the outside, can hold an astonishing amount inside—much like Mary Poppins’ magical carpet bag. These frameworks combine metal nodes with organic rods, creating a crystal lattice riddled with customizable pores. These holes can be engineered to trap specific molecules, such as carbon dioxide, methane, or water vapor, making MOFs astonishingly efficient for gas storage and separation (AP News, UC Berkeley News).
“Metal-organic frameworks have enormous potential, bringing previously unforeseen opportunities for custom-made materials with new functions,” said Heiner Linke, chair of the Nobel Committee for Chemistry, in a news release (AP News). The frameworks’ internal surface area is staggering; just a few grams can offer as much surface as a soccer field, all ready to lock away gas molecules. This level of control is rare in chemistry, as Kim Jelfs, a computational chemist at Imperial College London, pointed out: “It’s really efficient for storing gases.”
The applications are already making waves. MOFs have been used to capture carbon dioxide from industrial flue gases, a crucial step in fighting climate change. Some are being deployed to harvest water directly from the air—even in the arid conditions of deserts. Omar Yaghi’s lab, for instance, has spun off a company marketing microwave-sized water harvesters capable of pulling up to five liters of water per day from dry air—an innovation that could bring relief to communities facing water scarcity (UC Berkeley News).
Beyond climate and water, the frameworks are being explored for storing hydrogen to power fuel-cell vehicles, packing methane into fuel tanks for natural gas cars, and even for targeted drug delivery. “It could be a better way to deliver low doses continually,” said David Pugh, a chemist at King’s College London, referencing potential uses in cancer treatment (AP News). In the food industry, MOFs are already being used in packaging to keep fruit fresh during long shipments, slowly releasing chemicals that slow ripening.
Yaghi, who calls his field “reticular chemistry,” described the approach as “stitching molecular building blocks into crystalline, extended structures by strong bonds.” This innovation didn’t come easily. Early attempts at creating such porous crystalline materials were dismissed as too unstable. But Yaghi’s persistence, starting with his time as an assistant professor at Arizona State University, paid off. By linking inorganic clusters with organic ligands, his team achieved robust, highly porous structures that could be tailored for specific uses (UC Berkeley News).
“There was no rationality in how you made these materials. There was no design, no intellectual rules or guidance for making them,” Yaghi recalled. “So I was fixated...on building materials using a building block approach so that I could rationally put these things together.” The result? More than 100,000 distinct MOF structures have now been synthesized, each offering unique properties for a vast array of applications.
Receiving the Nobel Prize was a moment of disbelief and joy for the laureates. Yaghi learned of his win while changing flights in Frankfurt en route to a conference in Brussels. “You cannot prepare for a moment like that,” he said at a news conference. “The feeling is indescribable, but it’s absolutely thrilling.” Kitagawa, reached by phone in Kyoto, initially thought the call was a telemarketer: “It was such a big prize so I thought, ‘Is it really true?’” Only after a congratulatory expert came on the line did he believe it was real, admitting, “I’m deeply honored and delighted that my long-standing research has been recognized.” Robson, meanwhile, said from his home in Melbourne, “This is a major thing that happens late in life when I’m not really in a condition to withstand it all. But here we are.” (AP News)
The Nobel Committee’s whimsical comparison to magical handbags isn’t just for show. The “bottomless” nature of MOFs’ internal spaces makes them uniquely suited to address seemingly intractable environmental problems. They can be used to separate so-called “forever chemicals” (PFAS) from water—a class of pollutants that have spread into air, water, and soil worldwide. The frameworks’ ability to be custom-designed for specific tasks opens doors to solutions that were previously unimaginable.
Yaghi’s journey from Amman, Jordan, to the pinnacle of scientific achievement in the United States is itself a testament to perseverance and vision. Arriving in the U.S. at age 15 with limited English, he worked his way through school, eventually earning a Ph.D. and embarking on a career defined by creativity and tenacity. “Omar’s story is the quintessential American story, another unlocked American dream,” said UC Berkeley Chancellor Rich Lyons at a press conference honoring Yaghi. “Leading up to the extraordinary recognition conferred by this Nobel Prize was boatloads of hard work, dedication, and creativity. Also, a willingness and ability to challenge the status quo.”
The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry marks the third Nobel announcement of the week, following awards in medicine and physics, with literature, peace, and economics prizes to follow. The award ceremony is set for December 10, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death—a fitting tribute to the Swedish industrialist and inventor who believed in the power of science to improve humanity’s lot.
As the scientific world takes stock of this year’s laureates, the impact of their discoveries is only beginning to unfold. MOFs are not just a triumph of molecular architecture; they’re a powerful tool for tackling the world’s most pressing environmental and technological challenges—proving that sometimes, the smallest spaces can make the biggest difference.
