A linear chain of water molecules accommodated in a macrocyclic nanotube channel.

Ono, Katsuhiko; Tsukamoto, Kenichi; Hosokawa, Ryohei; Kato, Masaki; Suganuma, Motohiro; Tomura, Masaaki; Sako, Katsuya; Taga, Keijiro et al. · Nano Lett · 2009

basic_science · Level V

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Abstract

A macrocyclic tetramer of 2-phenyl-1,3,4-oxadiazole was synthesized, and its self-assembly was investigated. The macrocycle was stacked to form a one-dimensional (1D) columnar structure containing water molecules. The nanotube self-assembled into a bundle, which grew into a molecular wire. The association of the water molecules in the tubular cavity resulted in shielding of the 1D chain of water molecules by the nanotube; these macrocyclic nanotube channels are promising candidates for nanotechnological applications.

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