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Abelsonite

A species of Minerals

Abelsonite is semitransparent and pink-purple, dark greyish purple, pale purplish red, or reddish brown in color. The mineral occurs as thin laths or plates or small aggregates up to 1 cm (0.39 in). The mineral is soluble in benzene and acetone and is insoluble in water, dilute hydrochloric acid, and dilute nitric acid.

Hardness:

2 - 3

Density:

1.45 g/cm³

General Info About Abelsonite

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Physical Properties of Abelsonite

Colors

Pink-purple, dark greyish purple, pale purplish red, reddish brown.

Streak

pink

Hardness

2 - 3 , Extremely soft to Soft

Density

1.45 g/cm³, Obviously Light Weight

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Chemical Properties of Abelsonite

Formula

Ni(C₃₁H₃₂N₄)

Elements listed

C, H, N, Ni

Characteristics of Abelsonite

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Composition of Abelsonite

In 1989, abelsonite was the only known geoporphyrin to have a crystalline structure. Most geoporphyrins occur as a series of homologues spanning a large range of carbon numbers. The porphyrin which comprises abelsonite is common, but it does not usually occur in isolation from other porphyrins. The mineral is a deoxophylloerythroetioporphyrin (DPEP), with nickel occupying the center of the porphyrin ring. Most of the mineral consists of a C31 porphyrin with small quantities of a C30 norisomer. The mineral crystallizes in the triclinic crystal system.

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Xilingolite

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