An independent 1D single-walled metal-organic nanotube transformed from a 2D layer exhibits highly selective and reversible sensing of nitroaromatic compounds.

The syntheses and structures of two new Zn(II) complexes, a 2D graphite-like layer {[Zn(PIA)H2 O]⋅H2 O}n (1) and an independent 1D single-walled metal-organic nanotube (SWMONT) {[Zn2 (PIA)2 (bpy)2 ]⋅2.5 H2 O⋅DMA}n (2), have been reported based on a "Y"-shaped 5-(pyridine-4-yl)isophthalic acid ligand (H2 PIA). Interestingly, the 2D graphite-like layer in 1 can transform into the independent 1D SWMONT in 2 with addition of 2,2'-bipyridine (bpy), which represents the first successfully experimental example of an independent 1D metal-organic nanotube generated from a 2D layer by a "rolling-up" mechanism.