Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025

• 09 Oct 2025

Source: TH 

Why in News? 

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has decided to award the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 to Susumu Kitagawa (Japan), Richard Robson (Australia), and Omar Yaghi (US) for their groundbreaking work in creating Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs). 

What are the Key Highlights of the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025? 

Creation of Metal–organic Frameworks (MOFs):    

• Richard Robson:  He was among the first to design 3D structures by combining metal ions (like copper) with organic molecules to form strong, interconnected frameworks.  
  • He showed that it is possible to make materials with big spaces inside, which could trap molecules, which laid the groundwork for the creation of porous materials. 
• Susumu Kitagawa: Building on Robson's work, Kitagawa discovered that porous structures could not only remain stable but also expand and contract based on surrounding gases or chemicals.  
  • This breakthrough made them adaptable for gas capture (e.g., carbon dioxide) and energy storage. 
• Omar Yaghi: He coined the term Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) for porous structures and developed reticular chemistry (systematic approach to assembling metal ions and organic molecules into large, ordered structures).  
  • Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs) are a class of crystalline materials made by linking metal ions with organic molecules. They form porous, sponge-like structures with tiny, well-organized holes (pores) that can trap, store, or filter gases and chemicals. 
  • Omar Yaghi showed that MOFs could be rationally designed for new properties. 

Significance of MOFs 

• Water harvesting: MOFs can extract water from desert air. 
• Carbon capture: Certain MOFs can selectively attract and store carbon dioxide, helping combat climate change. 
• Storage of toxic gases: MOFs can safely trap harmful chemicals for later use or disposal. 
• Custom-designed Chemical Processes: MOFs can be engineered for specific chemical reactions or storage needs, thanks to their highly customizable structures.

Indian Nobel Laureate in Chemistry: In 2009, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan (India), along with Thomas A. Steitz (US)  and Ada E. Yonath (Israel), was jointly awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry "for studies of the structure and function of the ribosome."

Click here to Read: Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2025 

• Nobel Prize in Physics 2025 
• Nobel Prize 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) 

1. What are Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs)? 
MOFs are crystalline materials made by linking metal ions with organic molecules, forming porous structures that can store, trap, or filter gases and chemicals. 

2. Who won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 and for what discovery? 
Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi won for creating Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOFs), revolutionizing molecular architecture and material chemistry. 

3. What is Reticular Chemistry? 
Reticular Chemistry is a systematic approach to assembling metal ions and organic linkers into ordered 3D structures like MOFs for customized functions. 

4. What are the key applications of MOFs? 
MOFs are used for carbon capture, water harvesting, toxic gas storage, and clean energy applications, contributing to climate change mitigation and sustainable technologies.

UPSC Civil Services Examination, Previous Year Questions (PYQs) 

Prelims

Q. What is blue carbon? (2021)

(a) Carbon captured by oceans and coastal ecosystems 

(b) Carton sequestered in forest biomass and agricultural soils 

(c) Carbon contained in petroleum and natural gas 

(d) Carbon present in atmosphere 

Ans: (a)

Q. Consider the following agricultural practices: (2012)

1. Contour bunding 
2. Relay cropping 
3. Zero tillage 

In the context of global climate change, which of the above helps/help in carbon sequestration/storage in the soil? 

(a) 1 and 2 only 
(b) 3 only 
(c) 1, 2 and 3  
(d) None of them 

Ans: (b)