Omar M. Yaghi of the University of California-Berkeley Receives the Inaugural 2025 IUPAC-Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry
Celebrated for Pioneering Reticular Chemistry and its use for Carbon Capture and Water Harvesting from Air
[April 7, 2025] — The International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) proudly announces Professor Omar M. Yaghi as the first recipient of the IUPAC-Soong Prize for Sustainable Chemistry. The prestigious award honors Professor Yaghi for his groundbreaking work in Reticular Chemistry, a field he founded, which has revolutionized the chemistry of creating new materials and provided new pathways to address climate and water challenges facing our planet.
Professor Yaghi’s innovative research has led to developing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs)—materials with vast potential in carbon capture, clean energy storage, and atmospheric water harvesting. His discoveries have advanced fundamental chemistry and translated into scalable solutions for a more sustainable future. Numerous international awards, including the prestigious Wolf Prize, ENI Award, Balzan Prize, Solvay Prize, and Tang Prize, have also recognized him.
“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 IUPAC-Soong Prize, launched in 2025, recognizes individuals whose chemistry-related research directly supports the UN Sustainable Development Goals. The prize includes a certificate, a commemorative medal, and a monetary award of $30,000 (USD) to be presented at the upcoming IUPAC World Chemistry Congress (July 14-19, 2025) and an invitation to deliver a plenary lecture at the National Taiwan University.
“Professor Yaghi exemplifies the spirit of innovation and environmental responsibility,” said Prof. Ehud Keinan, President of IUPAC. “His work empowers global efforts to combat climate change and address water scarcity through chemistry.”
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, which aims to develop cost-efficient, easily deployable materials to address the global sustainability challenges.
For more information on the IUPAC-Soong Prize and its mission, visit: https://iupac.org/what-we-do/awards/iupac-soong-prize/