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)H2O]H2O}(n) (1) and an independent 1D single-walled metal-organic nanotube (SWMONT) {[Zn-2(PIA)(2)(bpy)(2)]2.5H(2)ODMA}(n) (2), have been reported based on a Y-shaped 5-(pyridine-4-yl)isophthalic acid ligand (H(2)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.