Novel and uniform one-dimensional (1D) tadpole-shaped Cu nanostructures with single-crystal nature have been successfully fabricated on a large scale by using a convenient microwave-assisted chemical reductive process in the absence of any surfactants. The as-synthesized products are characterized by Xray diffraction (XRD), energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDX), field emission scanning electron microscopy (FESEM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM), selected area electronic diffraction (SAED) and UV-visible spectroscopy. FESEM and TEM images indicate that the prepared Cu nanotadpoles have hexagonal plate-like heads with edge size of 600-800 nm and 4-6 pm long wire-like tails with the middle part diameters of 100-200 nm. The purity and morphology of Cu crystals are greatly affected by the concentration of hexamethylenetetramine and ascorbic acid, which are realized by carefully controlling the experimental conditions. The possible mechanism for the formation of tadpole-shaped Cu nanostructures is discussed. (C) 2013 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.