Nobel Prize in Chemistry Awarded to Architects of Metal-Organic Frameworks

The 2022 Nobel Prize in Chemistry has been awarded to Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson, and Omar Yaghi for their pioneering work in the field of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). MOFs are a class of porous materials composed of metal ions or clusters connected by organic linker molecules, forming intricate three-dimensional structures. The laureates' contributions have been instrumental in the development and advancement of MOFs, which have a wide range of potential applications, including gas storage, catalysis, and drug delivery. Kitagawa's work focused on the design and synthesis of MOFs, while Robson and Yaghi made significant strides in understanding the fundamental principles underlying the formation and properties of these materials. The award recognizes the transformative impact of MOFs on various scientific disciplines and their potential to address pressing global challenges, such as energy storage, environmental remediation, and molecular sensing. The research of the Nobel Prize winners has laid the groundwork for the continued exploration and application of these versatile materials, which are poised to play a crucial role in the development of sustainable technologies and solutions.