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Azurite [Cu3(OH)2(CO3)2]
Structure Monoclinic
Space Group : P121/C1
(No. 14)
a=5.0109 Å, b=5.8485 Å, c=10.3450 Å
a=90.0, b=92.430, g=90.0
Z=2
Atomic Positional Parameters
Reference
Zigan F, Schuster HD (1972) Zeitschrift fuer Kristallographie, Kristallgeometrie, Kristallphysik, Kristallchemie, 135, 416
Mineral Chemistry
Azurite is found in oxidised zones of copper-bearing mineralisation. It is associated with malachite.
The copper in azurite is in co-planar coordination with four oxygens, two of which
are hydroxyl oxygens. Two distinct arrangements of the two hydroxyl and two oxygens may be
observed in the structure. One has the hydroxyl groups diagonally opposite each other, the second has hydroxyl groups on the same side of the square formed by the four oxygens. Carbonate (CO32-) groups link the two types of copper together.
The CHIME figure shows copper ions as dark red spheres, oxygens as red spheres, hydrogens as small white spheres and carbons as grey spheres.