The synthesis of copper monosulfide (CuS) submicrotubes under mild conditions has been achieved by two simple steps: firstly, a precursor (copper-thiosulfate complexes) was prepared through the precipitation reaction of CuSO(4)center dot 5H(2)O and Na(2)S(2)O(3)center dot 5H(2)O in distilled water at room temperature; then, in the absence of any extra catalyst, surfactant or template, pure submicrometer-sized CuS crystallites with a tubular morphology could be obtained just via solvothermal treatment of the precursor in ethanol at 150-180 degrees C for 12-24 h. Also, the effects of the reaction temperature and reaction time on the phase and morphology of the resultant products were investigated and the possible formation mechanism of tubular structure CuS crystallites in this solvothermal system was discussed. (C) 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.