Metal-Organic Frameworks and Yet Another Nobel Prize

Header image: Niklas Elmehed © Nobel Prize Outreach

Just a few days ago, a series of Nobel Prizes were awarded. Among which the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025, which went to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M.

Yaghi. Of the university of Kyoto, Melbourne and California (Berkeley), respectively.

According to the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the Nobel Prize laureates "created molecular constructions with large spaces through which gases and other chemicals can flow". These materials can essentially stretch to make holes between the molecules holding it together.

These holes could then be filled with numerous other materials, such as hydrogen gas or carbon dioxide.

The media is already discussing its potential use in capturing CO2 out of the atmosphere thanks to the large cavities in this material. Even some electrically conductive versions have been developed, which could be used as semiconductors.

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOF)

In 1989, Richard Robson connected long "rods" of organic molecules to metal atoms, specifically those with tetrahedral and octahedral geometries. This metal atom would hold these long organic molecules in place, forming a crystal-like structure.

Fig. 1: Structure of a diamond.

Carbon atoms form four bonds with each other, leaving void between them.

Fig. 2: Example of a metal-organic framework (MOF), where one copper atom is attached to a "rod-like" organic molecule.

Synthesis of early MOFs

Since Robson's synthesis of an early metal-organic framework (MOF), a lot of other types have been produced. The problem was that the molecule Robson created was very unstable.

Yaghi and his coworkers synthesized MOF-5, a much stabler form of MOF. MOF-5 can be heated to 300°C and doesn't collapse when gas exits the structure.

Fig. 3: MOF-5 was one of the earliest stable MOF structures and had promising hydrogen storing capabilities.

What does the future of MOFs entail?

The Nobel Prize award in this area of Chemistry will undoubtedly attract more attention to the study of MOFs. MOFs have found applications in anything from extracting CO2 from the atmosphere to harnessing water resources.

They are and can become more useful in industry, such as in the separation or purification of chemicals. Perhaps soon many of the daily objects we use will contain MOFs.