A 3.5-nm coordination nanotube.

A 3.5-nm coordination nanotube was self-assembled from 12 Pd(II) ions and four tape-shaped ligands with the aid of a 3.0-nm template. This tubular structure was unambiguously determined by the single-crystal X-ray analysis. Being cooperatively sustained by 24 Pd(II)-pyridine interactions, the framework was kinetically stable even when the template was removed. The empty tube was, of course, capable of binding other molecules in the cavity.