Uricite

Uricite
General
Category Mineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
C5H4N4O3
Strunz classification 10.CA.40
Crystal system Monoclinic
Unit cell a = 14.46 Å, b = 7.4 Å
c = 6.2 Å; β = 65.2°; Z = 4
Identification
Color Yellowish white, colorless, light brown
Crystal symmetry Monoclinic - prismatic
H-M symbol: (2/m)
Space group: P 21/a
Mohs scale hardness 1-2
Streak White
Diaphaneity Translucent
Specific gravity 1.85 (calculated)
Optical properties Biaxial
References [1][2][3]

Uricite is a rare organic mineral form of uric acid, C5H4N4O3. It is a soft yellowish white mineral which crystallizes in the monoclinic system.

Discovery and occurrence

It was first described in 1973 for an occurrence in bat guano in Dingo Donga Cave, Eucla, Western Australia.[1] The name is for its composition, anhydrous uric acid. It occurs with biphosphammite, brushite and syngenite at the type locality in Dingo Donga Cave.[2]


References

This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, April 04, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.