Scientists Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi have been awarded the Nobel Prize 2025 in Chemistry for their groundbreaking development of metal- organic frameworks, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced on Wednesday.
The trio will share 11 million Swedish crowns (approximately $1.2 million), along with the global prestige that accompanies one of the world’s most esteemed scientific honors.
According to the Nobel committee, the laureates’ innovation in metal- organic frameworks has opened “new possibilities for chemists to address some of today’s pressing global challenges.”
This year’s chemistry award follows the Nobel Prizes in medicine and physics, which were announced earlier in the week. The Nobel tradition, established under the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel, has celebrated excellence in science, literature, and peace since 19th century with only a few breaks during the world wars.
While sometimes overshadowed by the more publicized physics or peace prizes, the chemistry Nobel has consistently recognized landmark discoveries- from nuclear fission to DNA sequencing.
Last year’s award honored David Baker, John Jumper, and Briton Demis Hassabis for their revolutionary work on protein structure prediction, a breakthrough that has transformed biomedical research and drug design.
The 2025 chemistry laureates now join this distinguished legacy, advancing the frontiers of molecular science and shaping the future of sustainable technology.
