Zharchikhite, AlF(OH): a novel structure type related to α-PbO.

The crystal structure of zharchikhite, AlF(OH), from the Zharchikhinskoe deposit (Buryatia, Russia) is solved here using single-crystal X-ray diffraction. The mineral is monoclinic, space group P2/c, a = 5.1788 (4), b = 7.

Crystal structure refinement, low- and high-temperature X-ray diffraction and Mössbauer spectroscopy study of the oxoborate ludwigite from the Iten'yurginskoe deposit.

This paper reports an investigation of the chemistry, crystal structure refinement and thermal behavior (80-1650 K) of ludwigite from the Iten'yurginskoe deposit (Eastern Chukotka, Russia). Its chemical composition was determined by electron microprobe analysis, giving an empirical formula (MgFeMn)(FeAlMg)O(BO). A refinement of the crystal structure from single-crystal X-ray diffraction data (SCXRD) was provided for the first time for ludwigite from this deposit (R = 0.

New data on the crystal chemistry of the natural two-layer aluminosilicates latiumite and tuscanite.

The crystal chemistry of the natural microporous two-layer aluminosilicates (2D zeolites) latiumite and tuscanite is re-investigated based on new data on the chemical composition, crystal structures, and infrared and Raman spectra. The CO-depleted and P- and H-enriched samples from Sacrofano paleovolcano, Lazio, Italy, are studied. Both minerals are monoclinic; latiumite P2, a = 12.

Infrared spectroscopy as a tool for the analysis of framework topology and extra-framework components in microporous cancrinite- and sodalite-related aluminosilicates.

The identification of the framework type in multilayer cancrinite- and sodalite-group minerals and synthetic compounds is predominantly based on the unit-cell dimensions determined from powder or single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, by analogy with previously characterized samples with known crystal structures. However, topological type of the framework cannot be reliably determined in this way because of the different possible ABC staking sequences and different sets of cages with the same number of layers in the repeat unit. To solve this problem, additional criteria are required.

Investigation of thermal behavior of mixed-valent iron borates vonsenite and hulsite containing [OM] and [OM] oxocentred polyhedra by in situ high-temperature Mössbauer spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and thermal analysis.

The investigation of elemental composition, crystal structure and thermal behavior of vonsenite and hulsite from the Titovskoe boron deposit in Russia is reported. The structures of the borates are described in terms of cation-centered and oxocentred polyhedra. There are different sequences of double chains and layers consisting of oxocentred [OM] tetrahedra and [OM] tetragonal pyramids forming a framework.

Functionality in metal-organic framework minerals: proton conductivity, stability and potential for polymorphism.

Rare metal-organic framework (MOF) minerals stepanovite and zhemchuzhnikovite can exhibit properties comparable to known oxalate MOF proton conductors, including high proton conductivity over a range of relative humidities at 25 °C, and retention of the framework structure upon thermal dehydration. They also have high thermodynamic stability, with a pronounced stabilizing effect of substituting aluminium for iron, illustrating a simple design to access stable, highly proton-conductive MOFs without using complex organic ligands.

Crystal structure of the OH-dominant gadolinite-(Y) analogue (Y,Ca)(Fe,□)BeSiO(OH,O) from Heftetjern pegmatite, Norway.

A hydroxyl-dominant analogue of gadolinite-(Y) (OH-Gad) has been discovered in the Heftetjern granitic pegmatite, southern Norway, in association with late-stage rare-earth-element containing minerals. The empirical formula, based on ten O atoms per formula unit, is (YCaCeLaNd)(Fe□)BeSiO(OH). The mineral is monoclinic, space group P2/c, a = 4.

Minerals with metal-organic framework structures.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are an increasingly important family of advanced materials based on open, nanometer-scale metal-organic architectures, whose design and synthesis are based on the directed assembly of carefully designed subunits. We now demonstrate an unexpected link between mineralogy and MOF chemistry by discovering that the rare organic minerals stepanovite and zhemchuzhnikovite exhibit structures found in well-established magnetic and proton-conducting metal oxalate MOFs. Structures of stepanovite and zhemchuzhnikovite, exhibiting almost nanometer-wide and guest-filled apertures and channels, respectively, change the perspective of MOFs as exclusively artificial materials and represent, so far, unique examples of open framework architectures in organic minerals.