Tinnunculite
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Tinnunculite
Common Kestrel - falco tinnunculus
Formula:
C5H4N4O3 · 2H2O
structural formula: NHC(O)NHC2C(O)NHC(O)NH·2H2O
Colour:
Colorless, white, yellowish, reddish or раlе lilас
Lustre:
Vitreous
Specific Gravity:
1.68 (Calculated)
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
Named after the Common Kestrel (Falco tinnunculus). An original description was of material formed as a product of hot gases from a burning coal dump reacting with excrement from Falco tinnunculus. It was rejected by the IMA for being of anthropogenic origin (the burning coal dump), however natural material was later found and the name was kept.
Type Locality:
A naturally occurring dihydrate of uricite (uric acid) to which it is visually very similar.
Well-known though rare component of urinary and other stones (a biomineral).
Not to be confused with Tinnunculite (of Chesnokov & Shcherbakova).
Chemically (C-H-N-O) but not structurally similar to other organic minerals: guanine, uricite; also acetamide, kladnoite.
Well-known though rare component of urinary and other stones (a biomineral).
Not to be confused with Tinnunculite (of Chesnokov & Shcherbakova).
Chemically (C-H-N-O) but not structurally similar to other organic minerals: guanine, uricite; also acetamide, kladnoite.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
47018
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:47018:0
Similar Names
IMA Classification of Tinnunculite
Approved
IMA Formula:
C5H4N4O3·2H2O
Approval year:
2015
First published:
2016
Classification of Tinnunculite
10.CA.65
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
C : Miscellaneous Organic Minerals
A : Miscellaneous Organic Minerals
10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
C : Miscellaneous Organic Minerals
A : Miscellaneous Organic Minerals
Mineral Symbols
As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.
| Symbol | Source | Reference for Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Tnn | IMA–CNMNC | Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43 |
Physical Properties of Tinnunculite
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent, Translucent
Colour:
Colorless, white, yellowish, reddish or раlе lilас
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
Distinct (010).
Distinct (010).
Density:
1.68 g/cm3 (Calculated)
Optical Data of Tinnunculite
Type:
Biaxial (-)
RI values:
nα = 1.503(3) nβ = 1.712(3) nγ = 1.74(1)
2V:
Measured: 40° (10)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.237
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Based on recorded range of RI values above.
Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.
Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.
Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars. Each grain retains its interference colour (retardation) while its brightness falls to black at extinction and reaches a maximum between extinction positions.
Surface Relief:
High (positive)
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
Relative to Canada balsam mounting medium (n ≈ 1.537).
This shows the grain boundary and Becke line effect under plane-polarised
light, based on the contrast between this mineral's average refractive
index and the mounting medium. It does not take into account mineral
colouration.
In focus
Interference Figure:
This shows the idealized biaxial acute bisectrix (Bxa) interference figure
- the conoscopic view for a grain cut perpendicular to the acute bisectrix, using
this mineral's 2V. The two small white dots mark the melatopes - the points
where the two optic axes emerge - and are shown only when they fall within the
field of view. The coloured bands are isochromatics, and the dark bands are
isogyres.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Rotate the stage: at 0°/90° the isogyres form a cross through the melatopes; at 45° they pull apart into curved hyperbolas. That splitting on rotation - absent in a uniaxial figure - is the standard diagnostic test for telling biaxial minerals from uniaxial ones. If 2V is large, the melatopes may fall outside the field of view, as they often do at the microscope too.
Chemistry of Tinnunculite
Mindat Formula:
C5H4N4O3 · 2H2O
structural formula: NHC(O)NHC2C(O)NHC(O)NH·2H2O
structural formula: NHC(O)NHC2C(O)NHC(O)NH·2H2O
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Tinnunculite
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 7.261(9) Å, b = 6.365(7) Å, c = 17.48(3) Å
β = 91.0(1)°
β = 91.0(1)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.141 : 1 : 2.746
Unit Cell V:
820 ų
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 8.82 Å | (84) |
| 5.97 Å | (15) |
| 5.63 Å | (24) |
| 4.22 Å | (22) |
| 3.24 Å | (27) |
| 3.18 Å | (100) |
| 3.116 Å | (44) |
| 2.576 Å | (14) |
Comments:
From Type Description.
Geological Environment
Paragenetic Mode(s):
| Paragenetic Mode | Earliest Age (Ga) |
|---|---|
| Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere | <0.6 |
| 50 : Coal and/or oil shale minerals | <0.36 |
| 52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals | <0.4 |
| Stage 10b: Anthropogenic minerals | <10 Ka |
| 54 : Coal and other mine fire minerals (see also #51 and #56) |
Type Occurrence of Tinnunculite
General Appearance of Type Material:
Prismatic or tabular crystals, uр to 0.2 mm in length, clusters, and crystalline ог micro-globular crusts.
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
Type material is deposited in the collections of the Fersman Mineralogical Museum of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia, registration number 4695/1.
Synonyms of Tinnunculite
Other Language Names for Tinnunculite
Dutch:Tinnunculiet
German:Tinnunculit
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 10.CA. | Allantoin | C4H6N4O3 |
| 10.CA. | Pabellóndepicaite | Cu2+2(N3C2H2)2(NH3)2(NO3)Cl · 2H2O |
| 10.CA. | Bojarite | Cu3(N3C2H2)3(OH)Cl2 · 6H2O |
| 10.CA. | Natrosulfatourea | Na2(SO4)[CO(NH2)2] |
| 10.CA. | 'Tholins' | (C,H,N) |
| 10.CA. | Fuchunite | Ba(C2H3O3)2(C2H4O3)2 |
| 10.CA.05 | Refikite | C20H32O2 |
| 10.CA.10 | Flagstaffite | C10H22O3 |
| 10.CA.15 | Hoelite | C14H8O2 |
| 10.CA.20 | Abelsonite | Ni(C31H32N4) |
| 10.CA.25 | Kladnoite | C6H4(CO)2NH |
| 10.CA.30 | 'Tinnunculite (of Chesnokov & Shcherbakova)' | C10H12N8O8 |
| 10.CA.30 | Guanine | C5H5N5O |
| 10.CA.35 | Urea | CO(NH2)2 |
| 10.CA.40 | Uricite | C5H4N4O3 |
| 10.CA.45 | Chanabayaite | CuCl(N3C2H2)(NH3) · 0.25H2O |
| 10.CA.50 | Triazolite | NaCu2(N3C2H2)2(NH3)2Cl3 · 4H2O |
| 10.CA.55 | Ernstburkeite | Mg(CH3SO3)2 · 12H2O |
| 10.CA.60 | Joanneumite | Cu(C3N3O3H2)2(NH3)2 |
| 10.CA.70 | 'Dopplerite' |
Other Information
Health Risks:
No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.
Internet Links for Tinnunculite
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-47018.html
Please feel free to link to this page.
Please feel free to link to this page.
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External Links:
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References for Tinnunculite
Reference List:
Ringertz, H. (1965) Optical and crystallographic data of uric acid and its dihydrate. Acta Crystallographica, 19 (2) 286-287 doi:10.1107/s0365110x65003298
Lonsdale, K., Mason, P. (1966) Uric Acid, Uric Acid Dihydrate, and Urates in Urinary Calculi, Ancient and Modern. Science, 152 (3728). 1511-1512 doi:10.1126/science.152.3728.1511
Shirley, R. (1966) Uric Acid Dihydrate: Crystallography and Identification. Science, 152 (3728). 1512-1513 doi:10.1126/science.152.3728.1512
Lonsdale, K., Sutor, D. J. (1971) Uric Acid Dihydrate in Bird Urine. Science, 172 (3986). 958-959 doi:10.1126/science.172.3986.958
Boistelle, R., Rinaudo, C. (1981) Phase transition and epitaxies between hydrated orthorhombic and anhydrous monoclinic uric acid crystals. Journal of Crystal Growth, 53 (1). 1-9 doi:10.1016/0022-0248(81)90050-6
Babić-Ivančić, V., Füredi-Milhofer, H., Brown, W.E., Gregory, T.M. (1987) Precipitation diagrams and solubility of uric acid dihydrate. Journal of Crystal Growth, 83 (4). 581-587 doi:10.1016/0022-0248(87)90253-3
Artioli, G., Masciocchi, N., Galli, E. (1997) The Elusive Crystal Structure of Uric Acid Dihydrate: Implication for Epitaxial Growth During Biomineralization. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 53 (3) 498-503 doi:10.1107/s0108768196013067
Parkin, S., Hope, H. (1998) Uric Acid Dihydrate Revisited. Acta Crystallographica Section B Structural Science, 54 (3) 339-344 doi:10.1107/s0108768197015218
Wang, Zhonghua, Seidel, Jürgen, Wolf, Gert, Königsberger, Erich (2000) Dissolution enthalpies of uric acid and uric acid dihydrate. Thermochimica Acta, 354. 7-13 doi:10.1016/s0040-6031(00)00492-5
Zellelow, Amanuel Z.; Kim, Kun-Hae; Sours, Ryan E.; Swift, Jennifer A. (2009) Solid-State Dehydration of Uric Acid Dihydrate. Crystal Growth & Design, 10 (1). 418-425 doi:10.1021/cg9010218
Zellelow, Amanuel Z.; Abiye, Melat; Fink, Dorothy A.; Ford, Catherine E.; Kim, Kun-Hae; Sours, Ryan E.; Yannette, Clare M.; Swift, Jennifer A. (2010) Doping Uric Acid Crystals. 1. Uric Acid Dihydrate. Crystal Growth & Design, 10 (8). 3340-3347 doi:10.1021/cg1005049
Sádovská, Galina, Honcová, Pavla, Sádovský, Zdeněk (2013) Kinetics and enthalpy of crystallization of uric acid dihydrate. Thermochimica Acta, 566. 211-213 doi:10.1016/j.tca.2013.06.005
Presores, Janeth B., Swift, Jennifer A. (2014) Solution-mediated phase transformation of uric acid dihydrate. CrystEngComm, 16. 7278-7284 doi:10.1039/c4ce00574k
Hålenius, U., Hatert, F., Pasero, M., Mills, S. J. (2016) New minerals and nomenclature modifications approved in 2015 and 2016, CNMNC Newsletter No 29. Mineralogical Magazine, 80 (1) 199-205 doi:10.1180/minmag.2016.080.080
Localities for Tinnunculite
Showing 20 localities.
symbol to view information about a locality.
The Locality List
- This locality has map coordinates listed.
- This locality has estimated coordinates.
ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence.
? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.
- Good crystals or important locality for species.
- World class for species or very significant.
(TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species.
(FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties).
All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.
Austria | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2011) |
| Kolitsch et al. (2012) |
| Postl et al. (2019) |
| Postl et al. (2019) |
| Postl (2019) |
Canada | |
| Modris Baum collection - Joy Desor ... |
Germany | |
| XRD by Gerhard Möhn |
| XRD by Gerhard Möhn and Joy Desor |
| XRD by Gerhard Möhn |
| XRD by Gerhard Möhn and Joy Desor |
Hungary | |
| Csanad Loranth |
Italy | |
| Artioli et al. (1993) |
| Ciriotti et al. (2021) |
| Ciriotti et al. (2021) | |
| Cámara et al. (2017) |
| Guastoni et al. (2020) |
| Cuchet et al. (2016) |
Norway | |
| Kolitsch et al. (2011) |
Russia (TL) | |
| Pekov et al. (2016) +2 other references |
Switzerland | |
| Cuchet et al. (2020) |
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Bricco Volti - Monte Ortieul quarrying area, Montoso Quarries, Bagnolo Piemonte, Cuneo Province, Piedmont, Italy