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)H 2 O] ⋅ H 2 O} n ( 1 ) and an independent 1D single‐walled metal–organic nanotube (SWMONT) {[Zn 2 (PIA) 2 (bpy) 2 ] ⋅ 2.5 H 2 O ⋅ DMA} 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.