Uricite

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

Uricite
General
CategoryMineral
Formula
(repeating unit)
C5H4N4O3
IMA symbolUri[1]
Strunz classification10.CA.40
Crystal systemMonoclinic
Crystal classPrismatic (2/m)
(same H-M symbol)
Space groupP21/a
Unit cella = 14.46 Å, b = 7.4 Å
c = 6.2 Å; β = 65.2°; Z = 4
Identification
ColorYellowish white, colorless, light brown
Mohs scale hardness1-2
StreakWhite
DiaphaneityTranslucent
Specific gravity1.85 (calculated)
Optical propertiesBiaxial
References[2][3][4]

Discovery and occurrence

It was first described in 1973 for an occurrence in bat guano in Dingo Donga Cave, Eucla, Western Australia.[2] The name is for its composition, anhydrous uric acid. It occurs with biphosphammite, brushite and syngenite at the type locality in Dingo Donga Cave.[3]


References


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