Nanotubule inclusion in the channels formed by a six-fold interpenetrated, triperiodic framework.

When reacted together with uranyl ions under solvo-hydrothermal conditions, a bis(pyridiniumcarboxylate) zwitterion (L) and tricarballylic acid (H 3 tca) give the complex [NH 4 ] 2 [UO 2 (L) 2 ][UO 2 (tca)] 4 ·2H 2 O (1). The two ligands are segregated into different units, an anionic nanotubule for tca 3- and a six-fold interpenetrated cationic framework with lvt topology for L. The entangled framework defines large channels which contain the square-profile nanotubules. Complex 1 has a photoluminescence quantum yield of 19% and its emission spectrum shows the superposition of the signals due to the two independent species.