Questions on Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 2025 Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs)

 SET S&T-0910:00( 9102025) : Metal Organic 

Frameworks (MOFs) : Nobel Prize in Chemistry,2025 : 

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NOTES ON Science & Technology : Nobel Prize in Chemistry, 2025 

Topic : ,Chemistry (for G S 

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QUESTIONS ON METAL ORGANIC FRAMEWORKS (MOFs) 

TOPIC : Nobel Prize in Chemistry ,2025 

Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 for the development of a new type of molecular architecture. The constructions they created – metal–organic frameworks – contain large cavities in which molecules can flow in and out. Researchers have used them to harvest water from desert air, extract pollutants from water, capture carbon dioxide and store

hydrogen. 

Question: Who are winners of Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2025 ? 

Ans : Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi 

Question : Why are selected for Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 2025 ? Ans : Susumu Kitagawa, Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi are awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2025 for the development of a new type of molecular architecture. The constructions they created – metal–organic frameworks – contain large cavities in which molecules can flow in and out. Researchers have used them to harvest water from desert air, extract pollutants from water, capture carbon dioxide and store hydrogen. 

Question: What are the uses of Metal Organic Frameworks (MOFs) ? Ans : Researchers have created numerous different and functional MOFs. So far, in most cases, the materials have only been used on a small scale. To harness the benefits of MOF materials for humanity, many companies are now investing in their mass production and commercialisation. Some have succeeded. For example, the electronics industry can now use MOF materials to contain some of the toxic gases required to produce semiconductors. Another MOF can instead break down harmful gases, including some that can be used as chemical weapons. Numerous companies are also testing materials that can capture carbon dioxide from factories and power stations, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. 

Question : What are the specialities of MOFs (Metal Organic Frameworks) ? 

Ans : 

1)MOFs can form soft materials. Unlike zeolites, which are usually hard materials, MOFs contain flexible molecular building blocks that can create a pliant material. 

2)In 1995, Yaghi published the structure of two different two-dimensional materials; these were like nets and were held together by copper or cobalt. The latter could host guest molecules in its spaces and, when these were fully occupied, it was so stable that it could be heated to 350°C without collapsing. 3)Yaghi describes this material in an article in Nature where he coins the name “metal–organic framework”; this term is now used to describe extended and ordered molecular structures that potentially contain cavities, and are built from metals and organic (carbon-based) molecules. 

Question: Who made MOF-5 ? What are the specialities of MOF-5 ? Ans : 

1)Yaghi established the next milestone in the development of metal–organic frameworks in 1999, when he presented MOF-5 to the world. This material has become a classic in the field. It is an exceptionally spacious and stable molecular construction. Even when empty, it can be heated to 300°C without collapsing.

Question: What are the specialties of MOF -5 built by Yagi ? Ans : 

1)It seems that , many researchers have raised their eyebrows, because MOF-5 has the enormous area hiding inside the material’s cubic spaces. 2)A couple of grams of MOF-5 holds an area as big as a football pitch, which means it can absorb much more gas than a zeolite could 

Speaking of the differences between zeolites and MOFs, it took just a few years for researchers to succeed in developing soft MOFs. One of those who was able to present a flexible material was Susumu Kitagawa himself. When his material was filled with water or methane, it changed shape, and when it was emptied, it returned to its original form. The material behaved somewhat like a lung that can breathe gas in and out, changeable but stable. 

3)Yaghi’s research group has harvested water from the desert air of Arizona. During the night, their MOF material captured water vapour from the air. When dawn came and the sun heated the material, they were able to collect the water. 

Question: What are the developments after MOF-5 framework ? 

1)The MOF-5 framework, and the isoreticular IRMOF-6 and IRMOF-8 structures, showed potential for H₂ adsorption at low temperature, where further development demonstrated related framework MOF-177 as possessing high capacity for hydrogen even at ambient temperature and moderate pressures. 

2)For carbon dioxide, MOF-177 again proved to have high potential, and later related frameworks MOF-200 and MOF-210 showed a CO₂ uptake of 2400 mg/g.59 3)More recently, the stable CALF-20 framework was shown to have high and selective capacity for CO₂, which prompted its application for carbon capture on an industrial scale 

Question: What are the applications of MOFs etc. ? 

Ans: The many desirable properties of the frameworks have led to a large variety of applications. 

1) In addition to gas storage, as mentioned above, application areas include: analytical chemistry and (bio)sensors, batteries and fuel cell technology, separation science, synthesis and catalysis, harvesting of water from dry (low humidity) air, water purification and environmental remediation, capture/destruction of harmful agents, energy conversion and storage, hydrogen generation, food safety, drug delivery and diagnostics/therapy, etc. 

2) Industry has played a continuous and active role in both the discovery of these frameworks and the expansion of their applications. 

3)Participation has not been limited to established corporations; many new companies have also emerged, specifically focused on their discovery and commercialisation across all these fields. 

4) These endeavours have also shown that framework materials can be produced that display high chemical and thermal stability, and that the production can be cost effective and scalable. 

5) The materials also have the added advantage of being recyclable.

5)The integration of MOFs with other materials to form composite structures is opening new avenues for enhanced performance in existing applications and the development of novel technologies. The continued exploration of MOFs is expected to yield more significant breakthroughs, positioning them as a cornerstone in the development of advanced materials. 

Question: To make MOFs, which metals scientists are trying to use ? Ans : 

1)Copper 

2)Zinc 

3)Aluminium 

In addition to the above, researchers are using Carbon 

Question: Give Examples of various Metal Organic framework structures and their uses ? 

Ans : 

1) MOF-303: has been applied in water adsorption from low-humidity air;drinking water 

2) MIL-101 : has large cavities and has been used in catalysis and in storage of H₂ and CO₂; 

3)UiO-67 : has been used to absorb PFAS from water; 

4) ZIF-8 : has been evaluated for mining rare-earth metals from wastewater; 5) CALF-20 : can capture CO₂ from factory exhausts 

6) NU-1501 : has been developed to store H₂.