VIII(OH){O2C–C6H4–CO2}.(HO2C–C6H4–CO2H)x(DMF)y(H2O)z (or MIL-68), a new vanadocarboxylate with a large pore hybrid topology : reticular synthesis with infinite inorganic building blocks?

V(III)(OH)[O(2)C-C(6)H(4)-CO(2)].(HO(2)C-C(6)H(4)-O(2)H)(x)(DMF)(y)(H(2)O)(z) or MIL-68 was solvothermally synthesised in a non-aqueous medium. Its structure, built up from octahedral chains connected by terephthalate linkers, exhibits large hexagonal channels containing different occluded moieties. Their irreversible removal releases a specific surface area of 603(22) m(2).g(-1)(BET).