The Chemistry of Space: From Crystallographic Abstraction to Framework Design

The 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry celebrates the groundbreaking development of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs), which revolutionised porous materials through the application of crystallography and reticular chemistry principles. Building on the pioneering contributions of Kitagawa, Robson, and Yaghi, MOF chemistry is now pursued with a level of precision comparable to that long established in molecular chemistry. Looking ahead, the field is exploring dynamic frameworks, defect engineering, and expanding practical applications, all in pursuit of designing high-performance materials driven by molecular design to meet pressing societal challenges.