Co(3)O(4)peration. Porous and polycrystalline Co3O4 nanotubes have been derived from Co-4(CO)(12) clusters on carbon nanotube templates. The prepared porous Co3O4 nanotubes exhibit superior Li-battery performance with good cycle life and high capacity (1200 mAh g(-1)) owing to their hollow structure and small size. Moreover, this approach can be extended to synthesize other porous metal oxide nanotubes.