Omar M. Yaghi is the co-founder of H2MOF, and one of the most cited chemists in the world today. Professor Yaghi is the founder of the reticular chemistry field of science; among his top inventions are the Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs), Zeolitic Imidazolate Frameworks (ZIFs), Covalent Organic Frameworks (COFs) and the molecular weaving technologies.
His work encompasses the synthesis, structure and properties of inorganic and organic compounds and the design and construction of new crystalline materials. He is widely known for pioneering several extensive classes of new materials termed metal-organic frameworks, covalent organic frameworks, and zeolitic imidazolate frameworks. These materials have the highest surface areas known to date, making them useful in clean energy storage and generation. Specifically, applications of his materials are found in the storage and separation of hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide, and in clean water production and delivery, supercapacitor devices, proton and electron conductive systems. The building block approach he developed has led to exponential growth in the creation of new materials having a diversity and multiplicity previously unknown in chemistry. He termed this field ‘Reticular Chemistry’ and defines it as ‘stitching molecular building blocks into extended structures by strong bonds’.
Professor Omar Yaghi is one of the top inventors and one of the most cited chemists in the world today. Professor Yaghi is the founder of the reticular chemistry field of science.”
Professor Yaghi has received more than 55 prestigious global awards and medals throughout his celebrated career. His work on hydrogen storage was recognized by Popular Science Magazine which listed him among the ‘Brilliant 10’ scientists and engineers in USA (2006), and the US Department of Energy Hydrogen Program Award for outstanding contributions to hydrogen storage (2007). He was the sole recipient of the Materials Research Society Medal for pioneering work in the theory, design, synthesis and applications of metal-organic frameworks and the AAAS Newcomb Cleveland Prize for the best paper published in Science (2007). More recently, in 2017, he was appointed the Albert Einstein World Award of Science conferred by the World Cultural Council and the Wolf Prize in Chemistry (2018), for pioneering reticular chemistry via metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs).
Professor Yaghi has published over 300 peer-reviewed articles on MOFs and COFs, which have received a total of more than 205,000 citations. He has an h-index of 175 and is ranked as the second most impactful chemist worldwide (Top 100 Chemists, Thomson Reuters, 2011).
Global Awards & Recognitions
Prof. Yaghi received more than 55 prestigious global awards and medals. The following awards are among the top awards received:
2024: Ernest Solvay Prize
The Science for the Future Ernest Solvay Prize by Syensqo in recognition of his pioneering work in reticular chemistry
2022: VinFuture Prize
VinFuture Prize for Outstanding Achievements in Emerging Fields in recognition of his pioneering reticular chemistry
2019: Gregori Aminoff Prize
Gregori Aminoff Prize by the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences for the development of reticular chemistry
2018: The Wolf Prize in Chemistry
The Wolf Prize in Chemistry (Jointly with Prof. Makoto Fujita) for pioneering reticular chemistry via metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs)
2017: Albert Einstein World Award
Albert Einstein World Award of Science, conferred by the World Cultural Council
