The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) has awarded Professor Omar Yaghi the first-ever IUPAC-Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry. He is recognized for founding reticular chemistry and developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs)—breakthrough materials used in carbon capture, clean energy storage, and water harvesting from air.
Yaghi's pioneering work has opened new avenues in material science, directly addressing global sustainability challenges. His contributions have earned international acclaim, including the Wolf, ENI, Balzan, Solvay, and Tang Prizes.
"This award reflects the deep commitment of the scientific community, most especially the IUPAC, to tackling the global challenges of sustainability," said Professor Yaghi. "I am honored to receive this recognition and proud to contribute to a vision where science drives real-world impact."
The $30,000 prize will be presented at the 2025 IUPAC World Chemistry Congress in Taipei, where Yaghi will also deliver a plenary lecture at National Taiwan University.
Professor Yaghi currently serves as the James and Neeltje Tretter Chair Professor of Chemistry at the University of California, Berkeley, and Chief Scientist of Bakar Institute of Digital Materials for the Planet.
Read more about the IUPAC-Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry.