Determination of the Crystal Structure and Redefinition of Tsugaruite, Pb28As15S50Cl, the First Lead-Arsenic Chloro-Sulfosalt

Abstract

Tsugaruite was originally defined as a lead-arsenic sulfosalt from the Yunosawa mine, Aomori Prefecture, Japan. Until recently its crystal structure remained unsolved and its actual classification in the sulfosalt realm was unknown. Here the refinement of the crystal structure of tsugaruite using single-crystal X-ray diffraction data is reported. The mineral is orthorhombic, space group P2nn, with unit-cell parameters a = 8.0774(10), b = 15.1772(16), c = 38.129(4) Å, V = 4674.3(9) Å3, in agreement with previous studies. The solution of the crystal structure of this mineral revealed Cl occupying a specific position. Chlorine was thus sought and found using the electron microprobe; the average of six spot analyses gave (in wt.%): Pb 68.04, As 12.83, S 18.29, Cl 0.63, total 99.80. The empirical formula, calculated on the basis of Pb + As = 43 atoms per formula unit, is Pb28.26As14.74S49.08Cl1.52. Tsugaruite is an N = 4 plesiotypic derivative of the homologous series of Pb-Sb chloro-sulfosalts having the general formula Pb(2+2N)(Sb,Pb)(2+2N)S(2+2N)(S,Cl)(4+2N)ClN. It has a Cl/(Cl + S) atomic ratio close to that of other known Pb-Sb chloro-sulfosalts (pillaite, pellouxite) and slightly higher than that of dadsonite.