Nobel in chemistry goes to trio who built future of carbon capture and clean chemistry

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar M. Yaghi for their groundbreaking research on metal-organic frameworks — a discovery that could help address some of the planet’s most pressing environmental challenges.

According to foreign media reports, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the award at a press conference in Stockholm, praising the laureates for pioneering a new form of “molecular architecture.”

Their work focuses on how molecules can be arranged into structures with large internal spaces, known as metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), which allow gases and other substances to flow through. These frameworks have wide-ranging potential applications, from capturing carbon dioxide to combat climate change to reducing plastic pollution through advanced chemical processes.

Upon receiving the call with the news, Professor Kitagawa expressed his gratitude, saying, “I’m deeply honoured and delighted, thank you very much.” He then added humorously, “How long do I have to stay here? Because I have to go out for a meeting.”

The three laureates will share the prize of 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately £872,000). Professor Kitagawa is based at Kyoto University in Japan, Professor Richard Robson works at the University of Melbourne in Australia, and Professor Omar M. Yaghi is affiliated with the University of California in the United States.

The Nobel Committee highlighted that their discovery has opened a new frontier in chemistry, creating materials capable of solving key global challenges through innovative molecular design.

This year’s Chemistry Nobel follows the awards in Physics and Medicine announced earlier in the week.

On October 7, John Clarke, Michel H. Devoret, and John M. Martinis received the Physics Prize for their breakthroughs in quantum mechanics that laid the foundation for quantum computing.

On October 6, the Medicine Prize went to three scientists for their work on how the immune system fights infections — though one of the winners, Dr Fred Ramsdell, learned of the award nearly 20 hours late because he was on an off-grid hiking trip.

Last year’s Chemistry Nobel was awarded to Demis Hassabis, John Jumper, and David Baker for their work on protein structure — the fundamental building blocks of life.

By Tamilla Hasanova