ABSTRACT
Molecular self-assembly of small molecules to ordered macromolecular structures by noncovalent interactions is well known and often found in nature (Whitesides et al. 1991 ), in which hollow tubular structures of molecular sizes provide various biological functions: for example, scaffolding and packaging roles played by cystoskeletal microtubules and viral coat proteins, respectively, as well as the chemical transport and screening activities of membrane channels. Organic tubular assemblies are of interest owing to their numerous possible applications, many of which are obvious from the viewpoints of mimicry of biological systems (Eisengerg, B., 1998, Voges et al., 1998, Zwickl et al., 1999, Sigler et al., 1998, Borgnia et al., 1999). Much research has been focussed on the construction of simpler synthetic tubes for applications such as specific ion sensors, tailored molecular reaction vessels, and molecular sieves.
