Analysis for the Science Librarians of the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry: The Development of Metal–Organic Frameworks (MOF)

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa (Kyoto University), Richard Robson (University of Melbourne), and Omar M. Yaghi (University of California, Berkeley) for the development of new molecular architectures. By the combination of organic (carbon-based) and inorganic chemistry, metal ions are organized to form crystals with large cavities linked with organic molecules. The resulting porous materials are called metal–organic frameworks (MOFs). Metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) offer diverse applications, including the capture and storage of specific substances by various inorganic materials. They are also capable of facilitating chemical reactions and electrical conduction.