Crystal structure of Pb-exchanged form of zorite

The crystal structure of a Pb-exchanged form of zorite is studied by X-ray diffraction: Pb_3.95(Ca_0.1Sr_0.05)[Ti(Ti_0.80Nb_0.20)₄Si₁₂O₃₈(OH)] · 9.52H₂O (sp. gr. Cmmm, R = 0.0530 for 680 independent reflections). The structure retains the mixed polyhedral framework of zorite, Na₆[Ti(Ti,Nb)₄(Si₆O₁₇)₂(O,OH)₅] · 11H₂O. This framework is composed of xonotlite-like [Si₆O₁₇] ribbons linked to each other by columns of vertex-sharing (Ti,Nb)O₆ octahedra and isolated TiO₅ half-octahedra. Lead atoms in the Pb-exchanged form occupy one site, unlike Cs cations in the Cs-exchanged form of zorite, which are strongly disordered and partially occupy eight positions. The position of Pb²⁺ cations corresponds to the Na(2) position in the zorite structure, the Sr position in the Sr-exchanged form of ETS-4, and the K position in the K-exchanged form and is similar to the position of the water molecule W(3) in the structure of the Cs-exchanged form of zorite.     

New Data on Isomorphism in Eudialyte-Group Minerals. I. Crystal Structure of Titanium-Rich Eudialyte from the Kovdor Alkaline Massif

An abnormally titanium-rich mineral of the eudialyte group was studied by IR spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. The trigonal unit cell parameters are a = 14.165(1) Å, c = 30.600(5) Å, V = 5317.23(4) ų, sp. gr. R3m. The crystal structure was refined to R = 0.034 with anisotropic displacement parameters using 2530 reflections with F > 3σ(F). The idealized formula of the mineral (Z = 3) is Na₈(H₃O)₅(K,Ce,Sr)₂Ca₆Zr₂Ti_1.2(Fe,Mn)_0.6Si₂₆O₇₂(OH)₂Cl · 4H₂O. At the ratio Zr: Ti ~ 2: 1, titanium atoms lie in four sites and are not predominant in any of them. Another distinguishing feature of the mineral is the structural separation of chemical elements, such that K, Sr, and Ce cations and H₃O groups are randomly distributed between four split sites to form polyhedra with different volumes. The isomorphism of Zr and Ti in eudialyte-group minerals is discussed.     

Crystal structure of byelorussite-(Ce) NaMnBa<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>2</Subscript>(TiO)<Subscript>2</Subscript>[Si<Subscript>4</Subscript>O<Subscript>12</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript>(F,OH) · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O

The crystal structure of the mineral byelorussite-(Ce) NaMnBa₂Ce₂Ti₂Si₈O₂₆(F,OH) · H₂O belonging to the joaquinite group was solved and refined to R = 0.033 based on 4813 reflections with I > σ2(I). The parameters of the orthorhombic unit cell are a = 22.301(4) Å, b = 10.514(2) Å, c = 9.669(2) Å, V = 2267.1(8) ų, sp. gr. Ama2, and Z = 4. The structure is composed of three-layer sheets, which consist of dimers of edge-sharing Ti octahedra located between isolated four-membered [Si₄O₂] rings. The sheets are linked to each other by Mn 5-vertex polyhedra to form a heteropolyhedral framework. Large cavities in the framework are occupied by Na 6-vertex polyhedra, Ba 11-vertex polyhedra, and REE 9-vertex polyhedra.     

Modular structure of highly ordered eudialyte and its place among hydrated minerals of rastsvetaevite family

The crystal structure of a representative of eudialyte group, which was found by A.P. Khomyakov at the Rasvumchorr mountain of the Khibiny alkaline massif (Kola Peninsula), has been studied by X-ray diffraction. The trigonal unit-cell parameters are found to be a = 14.2328(5) Å, c = 60.217(2) Å, V = 10564.08(3) Å3, sp. gr. R3m. The structure has been refined with the isotropic and anisotropic approximation displacement parameters to the total reliability factor R = 5.6%, based on 2989 reflections with |F| > 4σ(F). The idealized formula (Z = 3) is determined as [(H₃O)₁₁Na₁₀K5]Cа₁₂(Na₃Fe₂Mn)Si₄Zr₆(Si₄₈O₁₄₄)(OH,Cl)₅(H₂O)₅. The unit cell of the mineral is doubled due to the presence of two modules of different composition and structure in it (alluaivite-and kentbrooksite-like ones) and the formation of a polyhedral cluster in the kentbrooksite module. A comparison with two hydrated minerals having a modular structure shows that these minerals, being similar in their chemical composition, differ in the cation ordering over the sites of the two modules. The sample under study contains potassium in only one module, while oxonium groups are distributed in both modules but over different sites.     

Structural characteristics of Na,Fe-decationated eudialyte with the symmetry <Emphasis Type="Italic">R</Emphasis>3

The crystal structure of a new highly decationated representative of the eudialyte group has been established (R = 0.055, 1734 |F|). The mineral is described by the simplified formula (H₃O)₉Na₂(K, Ba,Sr)₂Ca₆Zr₃[Si₂₆O₆₆(OH)₆](OH)₃Cl · H₂O (Z = 3). The unit-cell parameters are a = 14.078(3) Å, c = 31.24(1) Å; V = 5362 ų; sp. gr. R3. Being chemically and structurally related to the hydrated analogues studied previously (in particular, to potassium oxonium eudialyte), the new mineral differs from its analogues in that it has a higher degree of Na-and Fe-cation depletion. The replacement of 3/4 of Na cations by loose and mobile H₃O groups results in structure destabilization, which is seen from the high values of the thermal parameters of the atoms and the loss of the symmetry plane.     

Crystal structure of golyshevite

The crystal structure of golyshevite, a new calcium-and carbon-rich representative of the eudialyte group, was established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis (sp. gr. R3m, a = 14.231(3) Å, c = 29.984(8) Å, R = 0.062, 1643 reflections with F > 3σ(F)). The idealized formula of golyshevite is (Na₁₀Ca₃)Ca₆Zr₃Fe₂SiNb[Si₃O₉]₂[Si₉O₂₇]₂(OH)₃(CO₃) · H₂O. This mineral is characterized by the presence of calcium atoms both in the octahedral positions of six-membered rings and in extraframework positions, where calcium prevails. CO₃ groups are present as the major additional anions. Carbon atoms randomly occupy two positions on the threefold z axis at a distance of 0.75 Å from each other and are coordinated by oxygen atoms arranged around the z axis.     

Crystal structures of low-symmetry cancrinite and cancrisilite varieties

The high-sodium variety of cancrinite [Si_6.3Al_5.7O₂₄][Na₂(H₂O)₂][Na_5.7(CO₃)_0.9(SO₄)_0.1(H₂O)_0.6] (Kovdor Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia) and the calcium-containing variety of cancrisilite [Si_6.6Al_5.4O₂₄][(Na_1.2Ca_0.4)(H₂O)_1.6][Na₆(CO₃)_1.3(H₂O)_1.2] (Khibiny Massif, Kola Peninsula, Russia) are studied. The trigonal unit cell parameters of the crystal structures under investigation are as follows: a = 12.727(4) Å, c = 5.186(2) Å, and space group P3 for the former mineral and a = 12.607(4) Å, c = 5.111(1) Å, and space group P3 for the latter mineral. The reduced symmetry of the new varieties as compared to the symmetry of typical cancrinite and typical cancrisilite is associated with the specific features in the arrangement of the carbonate groups and water molecules in channels. This inference is confirmed by the IR spectroscopic data.     

Crystal structure of the NaCa(Fe<Superscript>2+</Superscript>, Al,Mn)<Subscript>5</Subscript>[Si<Subscript>8</Subscript>O<Subscript>19</Subscript>(OH)](OH)<Subscript>7</Subscript> · 5H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O mineral: A new representative of the palygorskite group

A specimen of a new representative of the palygorskite-sepiolite family from Aris phonolite (Namibia) is studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The parameters of the triclinic (pseudomonoclinic) unit cell are as follows: a = 5.2527(2) Å, b = 17.901(1) Å, c = 13.727(1) Å, α = 90.018(3)°, β = 97.278(4)°, and γ = 89.952(3)°. The structure is solved by the direct methods in space group P \(\bar 1\) and refined to R = 5.5% for 4168 |F| > 7σ(F) with consideration for twinning by the plane perpendicular to y (the ratio of the twin components is 0.52: 0.48). The crystal chemical formula (Z = 1) is (Na_1.6K_0.2Ca_0.2)[Ca₂(Fe _3.6 ²⁺ Al_1.6Mn_0.8)(OH)₉(H₂O)₂][(Fe _3.9 ²⁺ Ti_0.1)(OH)₅(H₂O)₂][Si₁₆O₃₈(OH)₂] · 6H₂O, where the compositions of two ribbons of octahedra and a layer of Si tetrahedra are enclosed in brackets. A number of specific chemical, symmetrical, and structural features distinguish this mineral from other minerals of this family, in particular, from tuperssuatsiaite and kalifersite, which are iron-containing representatives with close unit cell parameters.     

New representative in the sodalite structure type with extraframework anions [AlF<Subscript>6</Subscript>]<Superscript>3−</Superscript>

The crystal structure of new synthetic aluminosilicate |Na_7.38(AlF₆)_0.70(H₂O)_4.88|[(Si_6.74Al_5.26)O₂₄]-SOD, which was obtained by hydrothermal synthesis (T = 650° C, P = 2 Kbar) in the Si-Al-Na-F-H₂O system, has been found by X-ray diffraction (Xcalibur-S-CCD diffractometer, 2θ_max = 64.99°, R = 0.037 for 440 reflections): a = 9.0461(1) Å, sp. gr. P \(\bar 4\)3m, Z = 1, and ρ_calcd = 2.370 g/cm³. The disordered Si,Al-tetrahedral framework (the structural basis of the new compound) is topologically identical to the framework of mineral sodalite. Na⁺ cations, [AlF₆]^3? anions, and H₂O molecules occupy framework voids. The form of fluorine incorporation into the sodalite crystal structure (as octahedral aluminofluoride complexes) has been reliably established for the first time.     

Refinement of the crystal structures of synthetic nickel- and cobalt-bearing tourmalines

The crystal structures of synthetic tourmalines with a unique composition containing 3d elements (Ni, Fe, and Co) have been refined: (Ca_0.12?_0.88)(Al_1.69Ni _0.81 ²⁺ Fe _0.50 ²⁺ )(Al_5.40Fe _0.60 ³⁺ )(Si_5.82Al_0.18O₁₈)(BO₃)₃(OH)_3.25O_0.75 I, a = 15.897(5), c = 7.145(2) Å, V = 1564(1) Å; Na_0.91(Ni _1.20 ²⁺ Cr _0.96 ³⁺ Al_0.63Fe _0.18 ²⁺ Mg_0.03)(Al_4.26Ni _1.20 ²⁺ Cr _0.48 ³⁺ Ti_0.06)(Si_5.82Al_0.18)O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)_3.73O_0.27 II, a = 15.945(5), c = 7.208(2) Å, V = 1587(1) ų and Na_0.35(Al_1.80Co _1.20 ²⁺ )(Al_5.28Co _0.66 ²⁺ Ti_0.06)(Si_5.64B_0.36)O₁₈(BO₃)₃(OH)_3.81O_0.19 III, a = 15.753(8), c = 7.053(3) Å, V = 1516(2) ų. The reliability factors are R ₁ = 0.038?0.057 and wR ₂ = 0.041–0.060. It is found that 3d elements occupy both Y- and Z positions in all structures. The excess positive charge is compensated for due to the incorporation of divalent oxygen anions into the O3(V)+O1(W) positions.     

Ti/Zr isomorphism in wadeite: The crystal structure of the titanium-dominant K<Subscript>2</Subscript>(Ti<Subscript>0.55</Subscript>Zr<Subscript>0.45</Subscript>)Si<Subscript>3</Subscript>O<Subscript>9</Subscript> member of the series

The crystal structure of the titanium-rich mineral wadeite K₂(Ti_0.55Zr_0.45)Si₃O₉ from rischorrites of the Khibiny Alkaline Massif (Kola Peninsula, Russia) is studied by X-ray diffraction (XCalibur-S diffractometer, R = 0.0459): a = 6.8611(6) Å and c = 10.0611(9) Å; space group P6₃/m, Z = 6, D _x = 3.03 g/cm³. It is shown that the unit-cell parameters and volume of the mineral of mixed (Ti/Zr) composition are naturally intermediate between those of the terminal members of the isomorphous wadeite-based K₂ZrSi₃O₉–K₂(Ti_0.55Zr_0.45)Si₃O₉–K₂TiSi₃O₉ series. The expected correlation is due to the ionic radii of Zr⁴⁺ and Ti⁴⁺ which determine the lengths of Zr/Ti–O bonds in octahedra. The data of field observations and microscopic studies show that the Ti-dominant wadeite is formed on the basis of primary zirconium mineral in the course of a late imposed process under unique geochemical conditions.     

Crystal structure of a new polar borate Na<Subscript>2</Subscript>Ce<Subscript>2</Subscript>[BO<Subscript>2</Subscript>(OH)][BO<Subscript>3</Subscript>]<Subscript>2</Subscript> · H<Subscript>2</Subscript>O with isolated boron triangles

Crystals of a new polar borate Na₂Ce₂[BO₂(OH)][BO₃]₂ · H₂O were prepared by hydrothermal synthesis. The crystals are orthorhombic, a = 7.2295(7) Å, b = 11.2523(8) Å, c = 5.1285(6) Å, Z = 2, sp. gr. C2mm (Amm2), R = 0.0253. The formula of the compound was derived from the structure determination. The Ce and Na atoms are coordinated by nine and six O atoms, respectively. The Ce position is split, and a small amount of Ce is incorporated into the Na1 site with the isomorphous substitution for Na. The anionic moieties exist as isolated BO₃ and BO₂(OH) triangles. The planes of the BO₂(OH) triangles with mm2 symmetry are parallel to the ab plane. The planes of the BO₃ triangles with m symmetry are perpendicular to the ab plane and are rotated in a diagonal way. The splitting of the Ce positions and the polar arrangement of the BO₂(OH) triangles, water molecules, and Na atoms are observed along the polar a axis. The new structure is most similar to the new borate NaCa₄[BO₃]₃ (sp. gr. Ama2), in which triangles of one type are arranged in a polar fashion along the c axis. Weak nonlinear-optical properties of both polar borates are attributed to the quenching of the second-harmonic generation due to the mutually opposite orientation of two-thirds of B triangles in the unit cell.     

Crystal structure of modular sodium-rich and low-iron eudialyte from Lovozero alkaline massif

The structure of the sodium-rich representative of the eudialyte group found by A.P. Khomyakov at the Lovozero massif (Kola Peninsula) is studied by X-ray diffraction. The trigonal cell parameters are: a = 14.2032(1) and c = 60.612(1) Å, V = 10589.13 Å3, space group R3m. The structure is refined to the final R = 5.0% in the anisotropic approximation of atomic displacement parameters using 3742|F| > 3σ(F). The idealized formula (Z = 3) is Na₃₇Ca₁₀Mn₂FeZr₆Si₅₀(Ti, Nb)₂O₁₄₄(OH)₅Cl₃ · H₂O. Like other 24-layer minerals of the eudialyte group, this mineral has a modular structure. Its structure contains two modules, namely, “alluaivite” (with an admixture of “eudialyte”) and “kentbrooksite,” called according to the main structural fragments of alluaivite, eudialyte, and kentbrooksite. The mineral found at the Lovozero alkaline massif shows some chemical and symmetry-structural distinctions from the close-in-composition labyrinthite modular mineral from the Khibiny massif. The difference between the minerals stems from different geochemical conditions of mineral formation in the two regions.     

Crystal chemistry of elpidite from Khan Bogdo (Mongolia) and its K- and Rb-exchanged forms

Elpidite Na₂ZrSi₆O₁₅ · 3H₂O [space group Pbcm, a = 7.1312(12), b = 14.6853(12), and c = 14.6349(15) Å] from Khan Bogdo (Mongolia) and its K- and Rb-exchanged forms K_1.78Na_0.16H_0.06ZrSi₆O₁₅ · 0.85H₂O [Cmce, a = 14.054(3), b = 14.308(3), and c = 14.553(3) Å] and Na_1.58Rb_0.2H_0.22ZrSi₆O₁₅ · 2.69H₂O [Pbcm, a = 7.1280(10), b = 14.644(3), and c = 14.642(3) Å] that were obtained by cation exchange at 90°C, as well as K_1.84Na_0.11H_0.05ZrSi₆O₁₅ · 0.91H₂O [Cmce, a = 14.037(3), b = 14.226(3), and c = 14.552(3) Å] and Rb_1.78Na_0.06H_0.16ZrSi₆O₁₅ · 0.90H₂O [Cmce, a = 14.2999(12), b = 14.4408(15), and c = 14.7690(12) Å], obtained at 150°C are studied by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and IR spectroscopy. The base of the structures is a heteropolyhedral Zr-Si-O framework whose cavities accommodate Na (K, Rb) cations and H₂O molecules.     

X-ray diffraction study of Ba<Subscript>3</Subscript>TaFe<Subscript>3</Subscript>Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>14</Subscript> single crystal—a promising langasite-type multiferroic

Ba₃TaFe₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystals (sp. gr. P321, Z = 1), promising langasite-type multiferroics, have been grown by floating zone melting. An accurate X-ray diffraction study of Ba₃TaFe₃Si₂O₁₄ single crystal has been performed using two datasets, obtained independently for two different orientations of the same sample on a diffractometer equipped with a CCD area detector at 295 K. Structure refinement is performed based on an averaged dataset: a = 8.5355(1) Å, c = 5.2332(1) Å, sp. gr. P321, Z = 1; the R factors of model structure refinement were found to be R/wR = 1.02/1.23% for 4552 independent reflections. Disordering asymmetry is revealed for the magnetic Fe ion in the 3f site and the Ba cation in the 3e site.     

The crystal structure of vyuntspakhite: A redetermination

The crystal structure of the mineral vyuntspakhite (Y, TR)₆{Al₂(OH)₃[H_1.48Si_1.88O₇][SiO₄][SiO₃(OH)]}₂(a = 5.7551(11) Å, b = 14.752(3) Å, c = 15.906(4) Å, β = 96.046(4)°, sp. gr. P2₁/n, Z = 2), which had been established earlier in the pseudo-unit cell, is redetermined by X-ray diffraction (R = 0.040, T = 100 K). The redetermination of the structure shows that pronounced pseudotranslation along the axis c′ = c/3 is associated with the fact that Y(TR) atoms are related by a 1/3 translation along the [001] direction. Most of the hydrogen atoms are located. The crystal-chemical function of hydrogen bonds is analyzed. In the unit cell of vyuntspakhite, the cationic layers consisting of edge-sharing (Y,TR) eight-vertex polyhedra alternate along the b axis with mixed anionic layers composed of isolated Si tetrahedra (orthotetrahedra), Si₂O₇ double-tetrahedra (diortho) groups, Al five-vertex polyhedra, and Al₂O₈ double-tetrahedra groups linked by shared vertices and through hydrogen bonding.     

Crystal structure of chabazite K

The crystal structure of the chabazite K with the formula (K_1.33Na_1.02Ca_0.84)[Al₄Si₈O₂₄] · 12.17H₂O from late hydrothermalites in the Khibiny alkaline massif (Kola Peninsula) is established by X-ray diffraction analysis (CAD4 four-circle diffractometer, λMoK_α radiation, graphite monochromator, T=193 K, 2θ_max = 70°, R₁ = 0.047 for 4745 reflections) on the basis of experimental data (6265 reflections) obtained from a twin (twinning parameter 0.535(1)): a = 13.831(3) Å, c = 15.023(5) Å, sp. gr. \(R\bar 3m\), Z = 3, ρ_calcd = 2.016 g/cm³. It is shown that cations occupy five independent positions in large cavities of the tetrahedral Al,Si,O anionic framework in potassium-rich chabazite. A comparative crystallochemical analysis of chabazites of different composition and origin is performed.     

Crystal structure of ilyukhinite,a new mineral of the eudialyte group

The crystal structure of ilyukhinite, a new mineral of the eudialyte group, is studied by X-ray diffraction. The mineral found in pegmatite bodies of the Kukisvumchorr Mountain (Khibiny alkaline complex) is characterized by low sodium content, high degree of hydration, and predominance of manganese over iron. The trigonal cell has the following parameters: a = 14.1695(6) and c = 31.026(1) Å; space group R3m. The structure is refined to final R = 0.046 in the anisotropic approximation of atomic displacements using 1527F > 3σF. The idealized formula of ilyukhinite (Z = 3) is written as (H₃O,Na)₁₄Ca₆Mn₂Zr₃Si₂₆O₇₂(OH)₂ · 3H₂O. The new mineral differs from other representatives of the eudialyte group by the predominance of both oxonium in the N positions of extra-framework cations and manganese in the М2 position centering the tetragonal pyramid.     

Crystal structure of centrosymmetric 12-layer sodium-rich eudialyte

The structure of a new representative of the eudialyte group with the formula (Na,Sr,K)₁₈Ca₆Zr₃Fe[Si₂₅O₇₂](OH)₂Cl · H₂O from the Lovozero massif (Kola Peninsula) was studied by X-ray diffraction. The trigonal unit-cell parameters are a = 14.226 Å, c = 30.339 Å, sp. gr. R \(\bar 3\) m; the R factor is 0.045 based on 990 reflections. This sample is of interest as a sodium-rich and iron-poor mineral having a rare centrosymmetric structure, in which the M(2) site is occupied predominantly by sodium atoms. The dependence of the formation of centrosymmetric and non-centrosymmetric structures on the composition of eudialyte-group minerals was analyzed.     

Refined crystal structure of parakeldyshite and the genetic crystal chemistry of zirconium minerals with [Si<Subscript>2</Subscript>O<Subscript>7</Subscript>] diorthogroups

The structure of the mineral parakeldyshite Na_1.93ZrSi₂O_6.93(OH)_0.07 is refined by X-ray diffraction analysis. The main crystallographic data are as follows: space group P \(\overline 1 \), a = 6.617(2) Å, b = 8.813(1) Å, c = 5.426(1) Å, α = 87.26(3)°, β = 85.68(3)°, γ = 71.45(3)°, and R _F = 0.0153. The initial structural model of this mineral is confirmed. Within this model, the structure of parakeldyshite is based on the heteropolyhedral framework formed by [Si₂O₇] diorthogroups, which are linked together through isolated zirconium octahedra. The fundamental difference between the structure under investigation and the initial structural model is associated with the arrangement of the extraframework cations. A comparative crystal chemical analysis of the zirconium silicates with [Si₂O₇] diorthogroups is performed.