Self-assembly and proton conductance of organic nanotubes from pillar[5]arenes

Organic nanotubes have been assembled from pillar[5]arenes 1 and 2. Compound 1 gelates organic solvents through the formation of tubular fibers which are evidenced by TEM and XRD experiments, while 2 assembles into two different channels under the template effect of water wires. In addition, the water wires in the nanotubes of 2 can be under selective proton conductance. The results described herein represent a new strategy for building tubular structures. (C) 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.