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Omar M. Yaghi

Omar M. Yaghi (born February 9, 1965) is a renowned for founding the field of reticular chemistry and pioneering the development of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), covalent organic frameworks (COFs), and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks (ZIFs)—porous crystalline materials with applications in gas storage, carbon capture, water harvesting from arid air, and energy technologies. As the James and Neeltje Tretter Chair Professor of Chemistry at the , and a senior faculty scientist at , Yaghi has published over 500 scientific articles that have garnered more than 276,000 citations, establishing him as one of the most influential chemists worldwide. In 2025, he shared the with Susumu Kitagawa and Richard Robson "for the development of metal–organic frameworks," recognizing his creation of stable MOFs through rational molecular design that enabled tailored properties for practical uses. Born in , , to Palestinian parents—his father a and cattle raiser—Yaghi grew up in a modest environment that instilled a strong work ethic, moving to the as a young student. He earned a B.S. in chemistry from the at in 1985, followed by a Ph.D. in from the University of at Urbana-Champaign in 1990 under advisor G. Klemperer, and served as an NSF postdoctoral fellow at from 1990 to 1992. Yaghi's academic career began as an assistant professor at in 1992, advancing to full professor by 1997. He then held the Robert W. Parry Professorship at the from 1999 to 2006, where he expanded his research on framework materials. From 2006 to 2012, he served as the Christopher S. Foote Professor of Chemistry at UCLA, conducting groundbreaking work on MOF stability and functionalization. Since 2012, he has been at UC Berkeley, also directing the Berkeley Global Science Institute and co-directing the Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute and the California Research Alliance by . His contributions to reticular chemistry, which involves "stitching" molecular building blocks into extended structures, revolutionized by enabling the precise design of porous frameworks that outperform traditional materials in selectivity and capacity. Early innovations included synthesizing the first stable MOF in the , demonstrating its potential for gas adsorption and separation. Later advancements, such as COFs in 2005, extended these concepts to all-organic systems, broadening applications in and sensing. Yaghi's work has directly influenced sustainable technologies, including MOF-based devices that extract potable from desert air—a breakthrough tested in arid regions like . Yaghi's achievements have been honored with numerous awards, including the ACS Award (1998), Materials Research Society Medal (2007), King Faisal International Prize in Science (2015), and (2018), among over 20 others such as the Royal Society of Chemistry Centenary Prize. These accolades underscore his transformative impact on chemistry, with his frameworks now integral to global efforts in and clean energy.

Early life and education

Childhood and family

Omar M. Yaghi was born on February 9, 1965, in , , to refugee parents who had fled during the 1948 Arab-Israeli War. His family originated from , and like many displaced , they arrived in with few possessions, facing the hardships of resettlement amid the Nakba. Yaghi's father, who owned a small shop and raised , had completed only sixth grade, while his mother was illiterate, reflecting the limited educational opportunities available to their generation. The Yaghi family lived in modest circumstances as refugees, initially sharing a single small room in a humble home above the butcher shop with about a dozen relatives and the family's , without or running . Despite these challenges, was emphasized as a vital path to opportunity and stability, a value instilled by Yaghi's parents who, though largely unschooled themselves, encouraged their children to pursue knowledge to escape . This focus on learning shaped Yaghi's upbringing in a large, active household where independence was fostered from an early age. Yaghi's early interest in science emerged around age 10 through self-study, sparked by discovering stick-and-ball diagrams of molecules in a library book amid limited resources in . At 15, in around 1980, he immigrated alone to the on his father's urging to pursue studies, arriving in , with little English and facing significant cultural adaptation challenges, including working odd jobs like bagging groceries and mopping floors to support himself. These formative experiences highlighted the resilience required to transition from life to new opportunities abroad.

Academic training

Omar M. Yaghi, born to Palestinian refugee parents in , immigrated to the at age 15, motivated by his family's emphasis on as a path to opportunity. He began his higher at Hudson Valley Community College, earning an in 1983, before transferring to the at , where he obtained a degree in in 1985 while adapting to life in the U.S. through part-time jobs such as dishwashing and gas station work to support his studies. Yaghi pursued graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a Ph.D. in inorganic chemistry in 1990 under the supervision of Walter G. Klemperer, with his dissertation focusing on the synthesis, structure, and reactivity of polyoxovanadate clusters. His doctoral research marked his initial exploration of crystalline structures assembled through metal-ligand interactions, laying the foundation for his later work on porous materials. Following his Ph.D., Yaghi held a postdoctoral fellowship at from 1990 to 1992, where he began investigating porous materials and their potential for molecular assembly.

Professional career

Early academic positions

Following his postdoctoral fellowship at from 1990 to 1992, where he worked under Richard H. Holm on metal sulfide clusters, Omar M. Yaghi launched his independent academic career as an of chemistry at (ASU) in 1992. At just 26 years old, Yaghi joined the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, driven by the dual goals of achieving tenure and pioneering impactful research in materials synthesis. At ASU, Yaghi established his first research laboratory in a basement space within the Goldwater Building, where he focused on synthesizing porous crystalline materials by linking metal ions with organic connectors. He quickly assembled a team, hiring his initial graduate students who collaborated on early experiments that laid the groundwork for metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). This period marked the inception of his work on reticular chemistry, with Yaghi and his students developing novel approaches to create extended structures with tunable . A seminal achievement came in 1995, when Yaghi's group published the first report on a microporous MOF capable of selective and removal, demonstrating unprecedented control over molecular-scale architecture in a crystalline solid. Yaghi's early years at ASU were marked by significant challenges, including the pressure to secure tenure amid skepticism from the regarding the stability and practical utility of the novel porous materials he was developing. for such unproven was particularly difficult to obtain, as traditional favored established fields over the innovative of designer frameworks, compelling Yaghi to rely on persistent experimentation and limited resources to validate his concepts. Despite these hurdles, he successfully navigated the tenure process by 1998, having built a foundation that propelled his subsequent advancements in the field.

Later appointments and leadership roles

In 1999, Yaghi joined the as the Robert W. Parry Professor of Chemistry, where he served until 2006 and expanded his research on framework materials. In 2006, Omar M. Yaghi joined the faculty at the (UCLA) as the Christopher S. Foote Professor of Chemistry, where he served until 2011 and directed the Center for Reticular Chemistry at the California NanoSystems Institute. In 2012, Yaghi moved to the , as the James and Neeltje Tretter Professor of Chemistry, with joint appointments in and molecular and . He holds the position of University Professor there, a distinction approved by the Board of Regents in 2025. At Berkeley, Yaghi has taken on key leadership roles, including serving as founding co-director of the Kavli Energy NanoSciences Institute since its establishment in , a collaborative center between UC and focused on energy-related nanoscience. He is also the founding director of the Berkeley Global Science Institute, which fosters international partnerships. Yaghi has extended his leadership through international collaborations, notably as an advisor to the president of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) in , supporting joint initiatives such as the Center of Excellence for Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Applications established in 2014.

Scientific research

Reticular chemistry

Reticular chemistry, pioneered by Omar M. Yaghi in the late 1990s, represents a strategic approach to synthesizing crystalline materials by linking discrete molecular building units—such as organic linkers and inorganic nodes or clusters—into extended frameworks through strong, directional bonds. This methodology shifts the focus from traditional empirical synthesis to a rational paradigm, where the geometry and connectivity of the building units determine the topology of the resulting structure. Yaghi introduced this concept as a way to achieve precise control over material architecture at the molecular level, marking a departure from the limitations of conventional . At its core, reticular chemistry relies on three interconnected principles: predetermined geometry, modularity, and predictability. Predetermined ensures that the angularity and bonding preferences of linkers and nodes assemble into specific net-like topologies, such as or primitive cubic lattices, guiding the formation of ordered crystals. Modularity allows for the interchangeable selection of building units, enabling iterative modifications to tune pore sizes, chemical functionality, or mechanical properties without disrupting the overall framework integrity. Predictability arises from these elements, as computational modeling and empirical rules forecast the process, reducing trial-and-error in . The foundational demonstrations of reticular chemistry emerged in Yaghi's research between 1995 and 1999, beginning with early coordination networks that transitioned from flexible supramolecular assemblies to rigid, crystalline structures capable of maintaining their form under various conditions. These works established the viability of using hydrothermal and solvothermal methods to form extended lattices with defined voids, laying the groundwork for scalable production. By emphasizing strong bonds like metal-oxygen clusters, these initial efforts highlighted the potential for defect-minimizing rules, such as matching linker rigidity to coordination to prevent collapse. The broader implications of reticular chemistry have transformed by providing a blueprint for creating versatile, high-performance solids with applications in , separation, and . Its emphasis on —through modular assembly and predictive modeling—allows for the rational expansion from laboratory prototypes to industrial-scale materials, while inherent design rules promote low-defect synthesis for enhanced stability and functionality. This framework exemplifies reticular chemistry's role in advancing porous materials like metal-organic frameworks and covalent organic frameworks.

Metal-organic frameworks

Omar M. Yaghi invented metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) in 1995 while at , marking the first synthesis of these crystalline porous materials through the assembly of metal ions and organic linkers into extended structures. Early examples included a framework with large rectangular channels capable of selective guest binding and removal, demonstrating the potential for tunable and functionality. This work laid the foundation for reticular chemistry as the underlying design principle for creating such materials. A landmark achievement came in 1999 with the synthesis of , formulated as \ce{[Zn4O(BDC)3]} (where BDC is 1,4-benzenedicarboxylate), which exhibited exceptional stability and a surface area of approximately 2,900 m²/g, far surpassing traditional porous materials like zeolites. The synthesis of MOFs typically involves solvothermal methods, where metal ions or clusters react with multitopic organic linkers under moderate heat in a , allowing precise control over size, shape, and chemical functionality to achieve permanent . This approach enables the rational of frameworks with ultrahigh surface areas, often exceeding 7,000 m²/g in optimized variants, providing vast internal volumes for molecular storage and interactions. Key properties of MOFs include their permanent , which persists after guest removal, enabling applications in gas storage such as uptake at high capacities (up to 7.1 wt% at 77 K for certain structures) and selective CO₂ capture for carbon mitigation. Additionally, the open metal sites and tunable linkers in MOFs facilitate catalytic processes, including and oxidation reactions, by providing accessible coordination environments. Significant milestones in MOF development under Yaghi's leadership include the IRMOF series, introduced in , which expanded pore sizes and functionalities while maintaining the cubic topology of , leading to over 100,000 distinct MOF structures reported worldwide by 2025. Collaborations have further highlighted practical impacts, such as the 2017 demonstration of harvesting from desert air using MOF-801, which adsorbs moisture at low relative humidity (20–30%) and releases it via heating, producing up to 2.8 liters of per kilogram of MOF daily.

Covalent organic frameworks

Omar M. Yaghi and his team at the introduced covalent organic frameworks (COFs) in 2005 as a class of crystalline porous materials constructed entirely from organic building blocks linked by strong covalent bonds. Building on reticular design principles, the first COFs, such as COF-1 and COF-5, were synthesized through the condensation reactions of boronic acids, forming boronate ester linkages in a solvothermal process. These initial structures demonstrated the feasibility of achieving long-range order in all-organic frameworks, marking a significant extension of reticular chemistry beyond metal-containing systems. COFs exhibit distinctive structural features, including high crystallinity, permanent , and exceptional thermal stability up to 500–600 °C. Typically organized as layered two-dimensional () sheets or three-dimensional () networks, they feature uniform pores and high specific surface areas, with some 3D variants exceeding 4000 m²/g, such as COF-103 at 4210 m²/g. This arises from the precise geometric arrangement of rigid organic struts, enabling tunable pore sizes from angstroms to nanometers while maintaining lightweight compositions composed solely of elements like , , , , and . The synthesis of COFs addresses key challenges in assembling extended crystalline structures through the use of reversible covalent bonding chemistries, which allow for thermodynamic and error correction during framework formation. Linkages such as boronate esters in early COFs and later or bonds enable dynamic equilibration, facilitating the self-correction of defects and the achievement of high crystallinity under mild solvothermal conditions. This reversibility contrasts with irreversible polymerizations, providing a pathway to precise structural and scalability, though challenges like limited and inter-layer sliding in COFs persist. COFs have shown promise in diverse applications leveraging their porosity and functionalizability, including membranes for , in batteries, and optoelectronic devices. In , thin COF membranes enable selective separation of ions or molecules due to their uniform nanopores, as demonstrated in systems where they achieve high flux and rejection rates for contaminants. For , COFs serve as electrode materials in batteries, where their redox-active sites and high surface areas enhance lithium-ion or sodium-ion intercalation, improving capacity and cycling stability. In optoelectronics, the conjugated π-systems in COF layers support efficient charge transport and light harvesting, enabling applications in photovoltaic cells and sensors with tunable bandgaps. Post-2010 advances have particularly focused on expanding COFs, introducing new linkage types like s for greater and diversity in pore architectures. For instance, Yaghi's group developed -linked COFs in 2009 using bonds, which exhibit enhanced hydrolytic and surface areas suitable for gas storage. Subsequent innovations, such as higher-valency building blocks in 2020, have enabled more complex topologies like the csq net, further increasing and enabling applications in and separation. These developments have broadened the scope of COFs, achieving record surface areas and multifunctional properties through precise reticular design.

Molecular weaving

In 2023, Omar M. Yaghi advanced the field by synthesizing the first catenated covalent organic frameworks (catena-COFs), which feature mechanically interlocked polyhedral units resembling structures. These materials, exemplified by catena-COF-805, consist of catenated rings threaded through a three-dimensional COF , forming an infinite [∞]catenane network with adamantane-like polyhedra doubly interpenetrating in a bor-y . The synthesis involves condensation between 4,4′-(1,10-phenanthroline-2,9-diyl)dibenzaldehyde and tritopic linkers such as tris(4-aminophenyl), templated by (I) ions to ensure precise interlocking without covalent bonds between the catenated components. The mechanism relies on reticular chemistry principles to pre-weave organic threads into the COF scaffold, where the metal-templated helicates act as crossing points that thread through the during framework formation. This topological design yields a chain-mail-like , imparting properties akin to natural fabrics, such as resilience under stress due to the sliding of interlocked units. Structural characterization via powder X-ray diffraction and confirmed the ordered , with pore channels measuring approximately 1.6 nm in diameter, enabling while maintaining structural integrity. These woven COFs exhibit enhanced durability and flexibility compared to traditional rigid frameworks, as the non-covalent interlocks allow deformation without , absorbing through polyhedral slippage. For instance, catena-COF-805 demonstrates thermal stability up to 300°C and reversible flexibility under mechanical load, positioning it for applications in and protective materials. Moreover, the design offers potential for responsive to stimuli, such as chemical triggers that could alter stiffness or conductivity by modulating the interlocks. This work extends reticular chemistry beyond covalent linkages to incorporate non-covalent topological features, enabling the creation of adaptive, fabric-like molecular architectures with practical mechanical advantages.

Entrepreneurship

Founded ventures

Omar M. Yaghi has co-founded several ventures to commercialize his reticular chemistry innovations, particularly metal-organic frameworks (MOFs), bridging academic research with practical applications. In 2018, during his tenure at the University of California, Berkeley, Yaghi co-founded WaHa Inc., a climate technology company dedicated to developing atmospheric water generation systems leveraging MOF technology for scalable water harvesting from air. Two years later, in 2020, Yaghi established Atoco, a startup focused on deploying MOFs and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) in devices for carbon capture and water production, with Yaghi serving as chief science officer to guide its research and development. In 2021, Yaghi co-founded H2MOF, a startup applying reticular chemistry to develop materials for to support clean energy applications. Beyond these direct founding efforts, Yaghi's MOF patents have been licensed to numerous industrial partners, including , which has scaled production of MOFs for applications such as CO2 capture through collaborative initiatives like the Research Alliance by , co-directed by Yaghi since its inception in 2014.

Commercial and societal impact

Yaghi's metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) have been deployed in prototypes for atmospheric water harvesting in arid regions, demonstrating practical viability for addressing water scarcity. In 2018, a solar-powered device using MOF-801 was tested in the Arizona desert under conditions of low relative humidity (5–40%) and high temperatures (35–40°C daytime), producing approximately 100 grams of water per kilogram of MOF per day-night cycle without external energy input beyond sunlight. This prototype highlighted the potential for off-grid water production in desert environments, with subsequent advancements leading to commercial-scale units by companies like Atoco, which began scaling production for deployment in water-stressed areas by 2023. These systems can generate up to 5 liters of potable water daily from ambient air in devices the size of a microwave, supporting humanitarian efforts in regions like the Middle East. In carbon capture technologies, Yaghi's MOFs have facilitated industry partnerships aimed at CO2 , advancing scalable solutions for mitigating . Collaborations with firms such as novoMOF and Atoco have integrated Yaghi-designed MOFs into solid-state capture systems that selectively adsorb CO2 from industrial flue gases, enabling efficient regeneration and reuse. For instance, these materials achieve high CO2 uptake capacities (up to 5.5 mmol/g at ambient conditions), outperforming traditional sorbents and supporting initiatives aligned with global net-zero goals. Such partnerships have accelerated the transition from lab-scale demonstrations to pilot projects in energy and sectors, reducing emissions at the source. Yaghi's contributions extend to clean through MOF applications in , influencing technologies and objectives. His early work established MOFs as superior adsorbents for , with frameworks like achieving storage densities exceeding 7.5 wt% at 77 K, surpassing DOE targets for vehicular applications. This has inspired industry adoption in systems, where MOFs enhance safe, reversible storage to support economies and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. By enabling compact, high-capacity storage, these materials contribute to broader goals like the UN for affordable clean . Over 60 U.S. patents held by Yaghi, along with numerous international filings, have licensed MOF technologies across pharmaceuticals, , and , fostering widespread commercial adoption. These patents cover innovations in porous structures for , pollutant removal, and , generating licensing revenues and collaborations that translate into market-ready products. For example, licensed MOFs are used in pharmaceutical separations and filters, impacting global supply chains in and environmental sectors.

Recognition and awards

Major honors before 2025

Omar M. Yaghi received the Solid-State Chemistry Award from the and Exxon in 1998 for his early accomplishments in the design and synthesis of new materials. In 2007, Yaghi was awarded the Materials Research Society Medal for his pioneering work on the synthesis, structure, and theory of metal-organic frameworks. In 2009, Yaghi was awarded the American Chemical Society Award in the Chemistry of Materials for his innovative methods in designing and synthesizing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with exceptional porosity and potential industrial utility. The following year, he earned the Royal Society of Chemistry Centenary Prize in 2010, honoring his significant contributions to the field of chemistry, particularly in the development of crystalline porous materials. In 2015, he received the King Faisal International Prize in Science for his seminal contributions to the synthesis and applications of MOFs in energy and environmental technologies. In 2017, he was bestowed the Albert Einstein World Award of Science by the World Cultural Council for his groundbreaking advancements in reticular chemistry and the creation of extended porous structures like MOFs and COFs. Yaghi shared the in 2018 with Susumu Kitagawa and Fujita for their foundational inventions in reticular , including MOFs and covalent organic frameworks (COFs), which have transformed . Yaghi's election to the in 2019 underscored his profound impact on chemical sciences through the establishment of reticular as a new discipline. In April 2025, Yaghi received the inaugural IUPAC-Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, recognizing his foundational work in reticular chemistry and its applications in sustainable technologies. In September 2025, prior to the Nobel announcement, Yaghi was selected for the Materials Research Society Von Hippel Award, the society's highest honor, for founding reticular chemistry and developing innovative materials such as MOFs and COFs.

2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry

On October 8, 2025, the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced that Omar M. Yaghi had been awarded the , shared equally with Susumu Kitagawa of , , and Richard Robson of the , . The laureates were recognized "for the development of metal–organic frameworks," crystalline porous materials constructed from metal ions and organic linkers that enable precise control over structure and function. Yaghi's contributions were particularly highlighted for pioneering the synthesis of highly stable metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and extending reticular chemistry principles to covalent organic frameworks (COFs), both of which facilitate applications in , carbon capture, and water harvesting from arid environments. The Nobel citation emphasized how these frameworks create vast internal surface areas—up to thousands of square meters per gram—allowing gases like to be trapped or chemical reactions to be catalyzed efficiently, addressing global challenges in and . At the time of the award, Yaghi was affiliated with the , where he serves as a of and the James and Neeltje Tretter Endowed Chair in . His work has enabled practical innovations, such as MOF-based devices that extract drinkable water from desert air, underscoring the transformative potential of reticular in resource-scarce regions. In initial reactions to the announcement, Yaghi, who learned of the honor while changing flights, expressed astonishment and delight, describing his motivation as "building beautiful things and solving intellectual problems." Reflecting on his upbringing as the child of Palestinian refugees in Jordan, where his family lived modestly and shared a single room with their livestock, Yaghi hailed science as an "equalizing force" that provides opportunities to talented individuals regardless of background, stating, "Smart people are everywhere, if only they can be given opportunity." The Nobel ceremony is scheduled for December 10, 2025, in Stockholm, where the laureates will receive their medals and diplomas.

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