Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 to Susumu Kitagawa (Japan), Richard Robson (Australia), and Omar Yaghi (USA) for their groundbreaking contributions to the field of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). This prize highlights revolutionary discoveries in chemistry and their significant impact on addressing global challenges related to the environment, energy, and climate change. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 Winner List features these three scientists, as detailed in the official announcement and Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 from the Nobel Foundation.

Nobel Peace Prize 2025

रसायन विज्ञान का नोबेल पुरस्कार 2025

Nobel Prize in Literature 2025

Key Highlights of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

Development of Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs):

Richard Robson:

• One of the first scientists to create 3D porous structures by combining metal ions (e.g., copper) with organic molecules.
• His work laid the foundation for porous materials with large voids capable of trapping molecules.

Susumu Kitagawa:

• Advanced Robson’s research by demonstrating that MOFs can be stable and have the ability to expand or contract based on environmental gases or chemicals.
• This discovery has proven critical for gas capture (e.g., CO2) and energy storage.

Omar Yaghi:

• Coined the term MOFs and developed reticular chemistry, a process of systematically combining metal ions and organic molecules to create crystalline structures.
• His work enabled the rational design of MOFs for specific properties.

Structure and Properties of MOFs:

• MOFs are crystalline materials forming sponge-like porous frameworks made of metal ions and organic molecules.
• They contain small, well-organized pores capable of trapping, storing, or filtering gases and chemicals.
• Their adaptable structure allows for customization for specific chemical processes.

Significance of MOFs:

Water Harvesting:

• MOFs can extract moisture from the air in desert regions, addressing water scarcity.
• This is significant for water-stressed regions like India, where water management is a key policy issue.

Carbon Capture:

• MOFs can effectively store carbon dioxide, aiding in combating climate change and supporting India’s net-zero emission goals (2070).
• This is relevant to environmental sustainability and Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) technologies.

Storage of Toxic Gases:

• MOFs can safely capture and store harmful chemicals, critical for industrial safety and environmental protection.

Specific Chemical Processes:

• The adaptability of MOFs makes them useful in drug manufacturing, energy storage, and catalytic processes.
• This is relevant to India’s progress in renewable energy and industrial innovation.

Indian Contributions to Chemistry: Historical Perspective

Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (2009):

• Indian-born scientist awarded the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry, alongside Thomas A. Steitz and Ada E. Yonath, for research on the structure and function of ribosomes.
• His work is significant in biochemistry and medicine, particularly in antibiotic development.