The atomic and band structures of the (6, 0) zigzag carbon nanotube at its axial elongation are calculated by semiempirical molecular orbital and by tight-binding methods. The ground state of the nanotube is found to have a Kekule structure with four types of bonds and difference between lengths of long and short bonds of about 0.005 nm. The structural phase transition is revealed at approximate to 9% elongation, resulting in a quinoid structure with two types of bonds. This structural phase transition is followed by the transition from a narrow gap to moderate gap semiconductor. Validity of the semiempirical PM3 method is discussed. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.