The first crystalline microporous zirconium phosphonate metal–organic framework (UPG-1) was synthesized using the novel tritopic ligand 2,4,6-tris(4-(phosphonomethyl)phenyl)-1,3,5-triazine. Its crystal structure was solved ab initio from laboratory powder X-ray diffraction data. UPG-1 displays remarkable thermal stability and hydrolysis resistance and has a good absorption affinity towards n-butane and CO₂.