Hexahydroxytriphenylene for the Synthesis of Group 13 MOFs – a New Inorganic Building Unit in a β-cristobalite Type Structure

Two new, microporous MOFs of framework composition ((CH3)2NH2)2[M3O(HHTP)(HHTP•)], M = Al3+, Ga3+, H6HHTP = 2,3,6,7,10,11-hexahydroxytriphenylene, are described. Electron diffraction combined with molecular simulations show that these compounds crystallize in the β-cristobalite structure, containing a new type of trinuclear inorganic building unit for MOFs and radical anions.