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Uricite

A valid IMA mineral species

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Photos of Uricite (11)

Uricite Gallery Search Photos of Uricite

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Uricite

Loja, Persenbeug-Gottsdorf, Melk District, Lower Austria, Austria

Uricite

Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Uricite, etc.

El Entredicho Mine, Almadenejos, Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain

Uricite

Loja, Persenbeug-Gottsdorf, Melk District, Lower Austria, Austria

Uricite

Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

Uricite, etc.

El Entredicho Mine, Almadenejos, Ciudad Real, Castile-La Mancha, Spain

Uricite

Loja, Persenbeug-Gottsdorf, Melk District, Lower Austria, Austria

Uricite

Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Ortenaukreis, Freiburg Region, Baden-Württemberg, Germany

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About UriciteHide

Formula:

C₅H₄N₄O₃

structural formula: NHC(O)NHC₂C(O)NHC(O)NH

Colour:

yellowish white, colourless, light brown

Hardness:

1 - 2

Specific Gravity:

1.851 (Calculated)

Crystal System:

Monoclinic

Name:

The name reflects its chemical identity: uric acid.

Type Locality:

ⓘ Dingo Donga Cave, Madura Roadhouse, Dundas Shire, Western Australia, Australia

Natural uric acid. Anhydrous counterpart of tinnunculite.

2,6,8-trihydroxypurine (a heterocyclic compound, i.e., cyclic organic carbon compound with additional, non-carbon atom(s)) according to the organic chemical nomenclature.

See also the visually very similar Unnamed (Uric Acid Dihydrate).

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

4118

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:4118:4

GUID
(UUID V4):

1e12e0ea-d433-47e1-ae54-f1110f91dc8a

IMA Classification of UriciteHide

IMA status:

Approved

Approval year:

1973

Type description reference:

Bridge, P. J. (1974): Guanine and uricite, two new organic minerals from Peru and Western Australia. Mineralogical Magazine 39, 889-890.

Classification of UriciteHide

Strunz-mindat (2024):

10.CA.40

10 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
C : Miscellaneous Organic Minerals
A : Miscellaneous Organic Minerals

Dana 8th ed.:

50.4.4.1

50 : ORGANIC COMPOUNDS
4 : Miscellaneous

Hey's CIM Ref.:

32.14

32 : Hydrocarbons, Resins and other Organic Compounds

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Uri	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 UriciteHide

Transparency:

Translucent

Colour:

yellowish white, colourless, light brown

Streak:

white

Hardness:

1 - 2 on Mohs scale

Density:

1.851 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of UriciteHide

Type:

Biaxial

Chemistry of UriciteHide

Mindat Formula:

C₅H₄N₄O₃

structural formula: NHC(O)NHC₂C(O)NHC(O)NH

Elements listed:

C, H, N, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry

CAS Registry number:

69-93-2

CAS Registry numbers are published by the American Chemical Society

Crystallography of UriciteHide

Crystal System:

Monoclinic

Class (H-M):

2/m - Prismatic

Space Group:

P2₁/b

Setting:

P2₁/a

Cell Parameters:

a = 14.464(3) Å, b = 7.403(2) Å, c = 6.208(1) Å
β = 65.10(5)°

Ratio:

a:b:c = 1.954 : 1 : 0.839

Unit Cell V:

602.94 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Crystal StructureHide

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Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure

ID	Species	Reference	Link	Year	Locality	Pressure (GPa)	Temp (K)
0009301	Uricite	Ringertz H (1966) The molecular and crystal structure of uric acid Acta Crystallographica 20 397-403		1966	synthetic	0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Uricite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Ringertz H'
_journal_name_full 'Acta Crystallographica'
_journal_volume 20 
_journal_year 1966
_journal_page_first 397
_journal_page_last 403
_publ_section_title
;
 The molecular and crystal structure of uric acid
;
_database_code_amcsd 0009301
_chemical_compound_source 'Synthetic'
_chemical_formula_sum 'C5 H4 N4 O3'
_cell_length_a 14.464
_cell_length_b 7.403
_cell_length_c 6.208
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 65.10
_cell_angle_gamma 90
_cell_volume 602.943
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      1.852
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'P 1 21/a 1'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '1/2+x,1/2-y,z'
  '1/2-x,1/2+y,-z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
C1   0.39588   0.42200   0.87757
C2   0.36545   0.26650   0.58328
C3   0.46484   0.21754   0.46398
C4   0.53826   0.26650   0.54745
C5   0.38108   0.11110   0.26193
H1   0.54600   0.40100   0.82000
H2   0.26800   0.42800   0.83700
H3   0.55000   0.06100   0.14600
H4   0.25700   0.21300   0.49200
N1   0.49430   0.36422   0.75924
N2   0.32883   0.36683   0.78474
N3   0.47474   0.12343   0.26222
N4   0.31415   0.20174   0.45958
O1   0.36783   0.51657   0.05543
O2   0.63000   0.23031   0.45254
O3   0.35938   0.03350   0.11202
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
C1 0.02773 0.02527 0.03020 -0.00192 -0.01684 -0.00042
C2 0.02093 0.02055 0.02907 -0.00128 -0.01385 0.00127
C3 0.02040 0.02832 0.02891 0.00010 -0.01272 -0.00148
C4 0.01962 0.02638 0.03052 -0.00231 -0.01198 0.00443
C5 0.01596 0.02776 0.02586 -0.00084 -0.01010 0.00106
N1 0.02590 0.03026 0.02602 -0.00340 -0.01722 -0.00169
N2 0.01822 0.03165 0.03068 0.00138 -0.01347 -0.00401
N3 0.01613 0.03276 0.02715 -0.00010 -0.01085 -0.00443
N4 0.01613 0.03054 0.02650 0.00320 -0.01085 -0.00211
O1 0.03540 0.04720 0.03614 0.00143 -0.02021 -0.01014
O2 0.01517 0.04887 0.04064 -0.00285 -0.01347 -0.00042
O3 0.02363 0.04081 0.02988 0.00025 -0.01235 -0.00845

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
6.55 Å	(43)
4.91 Å	(51)
3.864 Å	(42)
3.180 Å	(55)
3.093 Å	(100)
3.087 Å	(69)
2.866 Å	(25)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere	<0.6
49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44)	<0.54
52 : Guano- and urine-derived minerals	<0.4

Type Occurrence of UriciteHide

Type Locality:

ⓘ Dingo Donga Cave, Madura Roadhouse, Dundas Shire, Western Australia, Australia

Place of Conservation of Type Material:

Western Australian Museum, Perth, MDC5295

Associated Minerals at Type Locality:

Biphosphammite

Brushite

Syngenite

Reference:

Bridge, P. J. (1974): Guanine and uricite, two new organic minerals from Peru and Western Australia. Mineralogical Magazine 39, 889-890.

Synonyms of UriciteHide

IMA1973-055

Uric Acid

Other Language Names for UriciteHide

German:Harnsäure
Uricit

Spanish:Uricita

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

4 photos of Uricite associated with Dolomite	CaMg(CO₃)₂
3 photos of Uricite associated with Quartz	SiO₂
1 photo of Uricite associated with Cinnabar	HgS

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

10.CA.	Tholins	(C,H,N)
10.CA.	Natrosulfatourea	Na₂(SO₄)[CO(NH₂)₂]	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pbcn
10.CA.	Allantoin	C₄H₆N₄O₃	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
10.CA.	Bojarite	Cu₃(N₃C₂H₂)₃(OH)Cl₂ · 6H₂O	Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m)
10.CA.05	Refikite	C₂₀H₃₂O₂	Orth. 2 2 2 : P2₁ 2₁ 2
10.CA.10	Flagstaffite	C₁₀H₂₂O₃	Orth. mm2 : Fdd2
10.CA.15	Hoelite	C₁₄H₈O₂	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
10.CA.20	Abelsonite	Ni(C₃₁H₃₂N₄)	Tric. 1 : P1
10.CA.25	Kladnoite	C₆H₄(CO)₂NH	Mon. 2/m
10.CA.30	Guanine	C₅H₅N₅O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
10.CA.30	Tinnunculite (of Chesnokov & Shcherbakova)	C₁₀H₁₂N₈O₈	Orth.
10.CA.35	Urea	CO(NH₂)₂	Tet. 4 2m : P4 2₁m
10.CA.45	Chanabayaite	CuCl(N₃C₂H₂)(NH₃) · 0.25H₂O	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Imma
10.CA.50	Triazolite	NaCu₂(N₃C₂H₂)₂(NH₃)₂Cl₃ · 4H₂O	Orth. 2 2 2 : P2₁ 2₁ 2₁
10.CA.55	Ernstburkeite	Mg(CH₃SO₃)₂ · 12H₂O	Trig. 3 : R3
10.CA.60	Joanneumite	Cu(C₃N₃O₃H₂)₂(NH₃)₂	Tric. 1 : P1
10.CA.65	Tinnunculite	C₅H₄N₄O₃ · 2H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
10.CA.70	Dopplerite		Amor.

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:

No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

External Links

Search for toxicity information at the United States National Library of Medicine

Internet Links for UriciteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-4118.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

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External Links:

Look for Uricite on Webmineral

Look for Uricite on Wikipedia

Look for Uricite on Mineralien Atlas

Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

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References for UriciteHide

Reference List:

Ringertz, H. (1965): Optical and crystallographic data of uric acid and its dihydrate. Acta Crystallogr. 19, 286-287.

Ringertz, H. (1966): The molecular and crystal structure of uric acid. Acta Crystallogr., 20, 397-403.

Lonsdale, K. & Mason, P. (1966): Uric acid, uric acid dihydrate, and urates in urinary calculi, ancient and modern. Science 152, 1511-1512.

Shirley, R. & Sutor, D. J. (1968): Anhydrous uric acid: nature and occurrence of a new form in urinary calculi. Science 159, 544.

Bridge, P. J. (1974): Guanine and uricite, two new organic minerals from Peru and Western Australia. Mineralogical Magazine 39, 889-890.

Rinaudo, C. & Boistelle, R. (1980): The occurrence of uric acids and the growth morphology of the anhydrous monoclinic modification: C5H4N4O3. Journal of Crystal Growth 49, 569-579.

Boistelle, R. & Rinaudo, C. (1981): Phase transition and epitaxies between hydrated orthorhombic and anhydrous monoclinic uric acid crystals. Journal of Crystal Growth 53, 1-9.

(2023) Uricite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Localities for UriciteHide

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- 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). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.


Argentina
Mendoza Province Malargüe Department Malargüe District ⓘ El Abrigo de el Manzano cave	Benedetto et al. (1998)

Australia (TL)
Western Australia Dundas Shire Madura Roadhouse ⓘ Dingo Donga Cave (TL)	Bridge (1974)

Austria
Burgenland Oberpullendorf District Markt Sankt Martin Pauliberg ⓘ Basalt quarry	Kolitsch +1 other reference
Lower Austria Melk District Persenbeug-Gottsdorf ⓘ Loja	Löffler & Kolitsch (2011)
Upper Austria Perg District Dimbach ⓘ Dimbach - Waldhausen road	Neschen (n.d.)

Germany
Baden-Württemberg Freiburg Region Ortenaukreis Hausach Hausach ⓘ Ludwig Mine	H.P. Maaßen collection
Oberwolfach ⓘ Clara Mine	Kolitsch et al. (2010)
Bavaria Lower Bavaria Passau District Tittling Hötzendorf ⓘ Granodiorite quarries (incl. Kusser Quarry)	Habel (2007)
Untergriesbach ⓘ Grögöd Quarry (G'steinert Quarry)	Mineralien-Welt 18 (5)
Hesse Giessen Region Limburg-Weilburg Weinbach ⓘ Mark Mine	Blaß et al. (2010)
Rhineland-Palatinate Rhein-Lahn-Kreis Lahnstein Friedrichssegen ⓘ Friedrichssegen Mine	58. +1 other reference

Norway
Nordland Narvik ⓘ Hundholmen	Husdal (2019)
ⓘ Stetind pegmatite	Husdal (2019)

Romania
Maramureș County Ocna Șugatag Sat-Șugatag ⓘ Gaura Ţuranului cave	Tudor Tamas et al. (2017)

Russia
Chelyabinsk Oblast Yemanzhelinsky District ⓘ Baturinskaya Mine	Tony Nikischer

Spain
Castile-La Mancha Ciudad Real Almadenejos ⓘ El Entredicho Mine	Sainz de Baranda Graf et al. (2019)

Uricite

About UriciteHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of UriciteHide

Classification of UriciteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Physical Properties of UriciteHide

Optical Data of UriciteHide

Chemistry of UriciteHide

Crystallography of UriciteHide

Crystal StructureHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Type Occurrence of UriciteHide

Synonyms of UriciteHide

Other Language Names for UriciteHide

Common AssociatesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Other InformationHide

Internet Links for UriciteHide

References for UriciteHide

Localities for UriciteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide