Biography
Susumu Kitagawa (北川 進, Kitagawa Susumu; born 4 July 1951) is a Japanese chemist who won the Nobel Prize for his transformative work in coordination chemistry, especially with metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous coordination polymers. Born in Kyoto, Japan, Kitagawa studied at Kyoto University, where he became a leading expert in organic-inorganic hybrid compounds. His research changed the way we understand the assembly of metal ions and organic molecules into ordered, porous structures with unique properties and uses.
Kitagawa's work focuses on creating and studying metal-organic frameworks, crystalline materials made of metal ions linked by organic molecules to form 3D porous structures. These materials have incredible properties including high surface areas, adjustable pore sizes, and the ability to select molecular recognition. His research has made it possible to use MOFs for gas storage, separation, catalysis, and drug delivery, making them a key class of functional materials in modern chemistry.
As a Distinguished Professor at Kyoto University's Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS), which he co-founded, Kitagawa has led research that combines chemistry, materials science, and biology. His lab has discovered many key aspects of coordination chemistry, like flexible porous coordination polymers that change structure in response to stimuli. These "breathing" materials have opened up new possibilities for smart materials and have influenced multiple scientific areas.
Kitagawa has been honored with many awards, including the De Gennes Prize in 2013 and being named a Clarivate Citation Laureate in 2010. In 2025, he won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry along with Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi for their work on metal-organic frameworks. That year, he also received Japan's Order of Culture, one of the country's highest cultural and scientific honors. His research continues to inspire chemists and materials scientists globally.
Before Fame
Growing up in Kyoto during the post-war reconstruction, Kitagawa saw Japan rapidly advancing in technology and science. During his youth, Japan was becoming a world leader in chemistry and materials science, which inspired him to aim high in science. He studied at Kyoto University in the 1970s, when coordination chemistry was undergoing important theoretical and experimental changes.
In the late 20th century, coordination chemistry was ready for big developments, as researchers started looking into putting metal ions and organic molecules together into larger structures. Kitagawa entered this field at just the right time because new ways to synthesize and analyze complex molecular structures were emerging. His early career got a boost from Japan's large investment in scientific research and the country's growing reputation for being precise in materials synthesis and analysis.
Key Achievements
- Pioneered the development of flexible porous coordination polymers with dynamic structural properties
- Co-founded the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences at Kyoto University
- Won the Nobel Prize in Chemistry (2025) jointly with Richard Robson and Omar M. Yaghi
- Received Japan's Order of Culture (2025) for outstanding contributions to science
- Published over 700 scientific papers advancing coordination chemistry and materials science
Did You Know?
- 01.He co-founded the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) at Kyoto University, establishing it as a leading center for interdisciplinary research
- 02.His research group was among the first to demonstrate reversible structural transformations in porous coordination polymers, earning these materials the nickname 'breathing crystals'
- 03.He has published over 700 scientific papers and holds numerous patents related to metal-organic framework synthesis and applications
- 04.His laboratory developed some of the first examples of metal-organic frameworks with record-breaking surface areas exceeding 7,000 square meters per gram
- 05.He was recognized as a Clarivate Citation Laureate in 2010, fifteen years before receiving the actual Nobel Prize
Awards & Honors
| Award | Year | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Nobel Prize in Chemistry | 2025 | for the development of metal–organic frameworks |
| De Gennes Prize | 2013 | — |
| Clarivate Citation Laureates | 2010 | — |
| Order of Culture | 2025 | — |