Evenkite
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Evenkite is a rare hydrocarbon mineral with formula C24H50; specifically, H3C–(CH2)22–CH3, the alkane n-tetracosane. [9] It occurs as very soft (Mohs hardness 1) transparent crystals, colorless to yellow, with a waxy luster. The softness is a characteristic of crystalline long-chain alkanes, which are the main constituents of paraffin wax.[10]
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Evenkite | |
---|---|
General | |
Category | Organic mineral |
Formula (repeating unit) | C24H50 |
IMA symbol | Evk[1] |
Strunz classification | 10.BA.50 |
Crystal system | Orthorhombic |
Crystal class | Dipyramidal (mmm) H-M symbol: (2/m 2/m 2/m) |
Space group | Pbcm |
Unit cell | a = 7.47, b = 4.98, c = 65.85 [Å]; Z = 4 |
Identification | |
Color | Colorless or pale yellow |
Crystal habit | Tabular pseudohexagonal crystals, granular, disseminated |
Twinning | Polysynthetic |
Cleavage | {001} Perfect |
Mohs scale hardness | 1 |
Luster | Waxy |
Diaphaneity | Transparent |
Specific gravity | 0.87 |
Optical properties | Biaxial (+) |
Refractive index | nα = 1.504 nβ = 1.504 nγ = 1.553 |
Birefringence | δ = 0.049 |
References | [2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][10] |
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Evenkite one of very few minerals that consist of crystalline hydrocarbons,[8][6] which include carpathite (pure crystalline coronene, a polyaromatic hydrocarbon).[11] It is also one of the few non-porous minerals that floats on water. It has been claimed to be the same as hatchettite.[12]