From nonfunctional lamellae to functional nanotubes.

[structure: see text] Long chain alkyl-alkyl interactions appears to be the main driving force in hydrogen bond isomerism induced transformation of lamellar architectures to nanotubular constructs in alkylammonium dicarboxylate salts; the syntheses of the nanotubes require no skill for typical organic synthesis, and they are functional materials displaying intriguing gelling properties.