Allantoin
A valid IMA mineral species
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About Allantoin
Formula:
C4H6N4O3
more specifically, [(CO)NH(CO)NHCH]NH(CO)NH2
Colour:
colourless
Lustre:
Vitreous
Hardness:
1½
Specific Gravity:
1.72
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Name:
The mineral name is the same as the chemical name. The chemical was named in 1821 by French chemist Jean Louis Lassaigne, who found it in the fluid of the allantois, an extra-embryonic structure.
Known synthetic analogue.
Chemically known as (2,5-Dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl) urea, 5-ureidohydantoin and glyoxyldiureide.
Chemically known as (2,5-Dioxo-4-imidazolidinyl) urea, 5-ureidohydantoin and glyoxyldiureide.
Unique Identifiers
Mindat ID:
55045
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:1:55045:9
IMA Classification of Allantoin
Approved
First published:
2021
Approval history:
coincident with its common chemical name
Classification of Allantoin
10.CA.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aan | 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 Allantoin
Vitreous
Transparency:
Transparent
Colour:
Colourless
Streak:
White
Hardness:
1½ on Mohs scale
Tenacity:
Brittle
Cleavage:
Distinct/Good
on {100}
on {100}
Fracture:
Conchoidal
Density:
1.72(2) g/cm3 (Measured)
Optical Data of Allantoin
Type:
Biaxial (+)
RI values:
nα = 1.558(2) nβ = 1.593(2) nγ = 1.715(3)
2V:
Measured: 60° (1)
Max. Birefringence:
δ = 0.157
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.
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.
Surface Relief:
Moderate
Dispersion:
slight, r > v
Comments:
optical extinction: Y = b, Z ^ a = 30° in obtuse β
Chemistry of Allantoin
Mindat Formula:
C4H6N4O3
more specifically, [(CO)NH(CO)NHCH]NH(CO)NH2
more specifically, [(CO)NH(CO)NHCH]NH(CO)NH2
Element Weights:
Elements listed:
Crystallography of Allantoin
Crystal System:
Monoclinic
Class (H-M):
2/m - Prismatic
Space Group:
P21/b
Setting:
P21/c
Cell Parameters:
a = 8.0304(9) Å, b = 5.1596(5) Å, c = 14.801(2) Å
β = 93.017(7)°
β = 93.017(7)°
Ratio:
a:b:c = 1.556 : 1 : 2.869
Unit Cell V:
612.41 ų
Z:
4
X-Ray Powder Diffraction
Powder Diffraction Data:
| d-spacing | Intensity |
|---|---|
| 5.567 Å | (31) |
| 4.864 Å | (37) |
| 4.341 Å | (30) |
| 4.197 Å | (100) |
| 3.604 Å | (40) |
| 3.190 Å | (33) |
| 3.010 Å | (51) |
| 2.809 Å | (42) |
Type Occurrence of Allantoin
General Appearance of Type Material:
untwinned blades, up to 0.3 mm in size
Place of Conservation of Type Material:
mineralogical collections of the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, 900 Exposition Boulevard, Los Angeles, CA 90007, USA, catalogue number 74491
Geological Setting of Type Material:
bat guano
Associated Minerals at Type Locality:
Other Language Names for Allantoin
Common Associates
Associations Based on Photo Data:
| 1 photo of Allantoin associated with Aphthitalite | K3Na(SO4)2 |
Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping
| 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.65 | Tinnunculite | C5H4N4O3 · 2H2O |
| 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 Allantoin
mindat.org URL:
https://www.mindat.org/min-55045.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 Allantoin
Reference List:
Miyawaki, Ritsuro, Hatert, Frédéric, Pasero, Marco, Mills, Stuart J. (2020) IMA Commission on New Minerals, Nomenclature and Classification (CNMNC) – Newsletter 56. European Journal of Mineralogy, 32 (4) 443-448 doi:10.5194/ejm-32-443-2020
Localities for Allantoin
Showing 2 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.
United Arab Emirates | |
| Audra et al. (2017) |
USA (TL) | |
| Miyawaki et al. (2020) +2 other references |
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125 foot level, Rowley Mine, Theba, Painted Rock Mining District, Painted Rock Mountains, Maricopa County, Arizona, USA