Lauraniite, Cu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12·5H2O, a New Copper Cadmium Sulfate Mineral from the Laurani Mine, Bolivia

Abstract

Lauraniite, Cu6Cd2(SO4)2(OH)12·5H2O, is a new mineral from the Laurani Mine, Aroma Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia, where it is found as a secondary mineral associated with serpierite and brochantite, on a matrix consisting of tennantite and chalcocite. Lauraniite occurs as bladed crystals up to 110 μm in length. Crystals are pale blue and transparent, with a vitreous luster and a white streak. Fracture is uneven. Cleavage is perfect on {100}. The calculated density is 3.40 g/cm3 based on the empirical formula. Optically, lauraniite is uniaxial (+) with α = 1.637(3), β = 1.638(3), γ = 1.638(3) (white light), 2V = 20(2)°, and orientation Z ≈ a. The empirical formula, based on data obtained from electron microprobe analysis, is Cu6.13(Cd1.62Zn0.24)(SO4)1.96(OH12.03Cl0.05)12.08·5.08H2O. Lauraniite is monoclinic, P21/c, a = 7.3200(15), b = 25.424(5), c = 11.283(2) Å, β = 91.62(3)°, V = 2099.0(7) Å3, and Z = 4. The crystal structure, determined using single-crystal data obtained using synchrotron radiation, refined to R1 = 0.0468% for 5999 observed reflections with Fo > 4σ(Fo). It is characterized by undulating, brucite-like sheets consisting of seven Cuϕ6 (ϕ: O2–, OH–, H2O) octahedra and two Cd(OH)6(H2O) polyhedra. Sheets are decorated on one side by corner-sharing SO4 tetrahedra. Linkages between adjacent sheets are provided by H-bonds.