Batoniite, [Al₈(OH)₁₄(H₂O)₁₈](SO₄)₅  ⋅  5H₂O, a new mineral with the [Al₈(OH)₁₄(H₂O)₁₈]¹⁰⁺ polyoxocation from the Cetine di Cotorniano Mine, Tuscany, Italy

Abstract

The new mineral batoniite, [Al8(OH)14(H2O)18](SO4)5 ⋅ 5H2O, was discovered in the Cetine di Cotorniano Mine, Chiusdino, Siena, Tuscany, Italy. It occurs as hemispherical aggregates composed of brittle tabular crystals, up to 1 mm in size, white to colorless in color, with a white streak and a vitreous to greasy luster. Batoniite is biaxial negative, with α= 1.4833(6), β= 1.4948(6), γ= 1.5019(5) (589 nm), and 2V(meas.)= 71(1)∘. Electron microprobe analysis, affected by the dehydration of batoniite under the chamber vacuum, gave (in wt %) the following: Al2O3 33.48, Fe2O3 0.05, SO3 33.00, and H2Ocalc 44.41, total 110.94. It corresponds to the chemical formula (Al7.98Fe0.013+)Σ7.99(SO4)5.01(OH)13.95(H2O)18 ⋅ 5H2O. Batoniite is triclinic, belonging to space group P1‾, with a= 9.1757(6), b= 12.0886(9), c= 20.9218(15) Å, α= 82.901(3), β= 87.334(3), γ= 86.999(2)∘, V= 2297.8(3) Å3, and Z= 2. The crystal structure was refined to R1= 0.0916 for 8118 unique reflections with Fo>4σ(Fo) and 811 refined parameters and 60 restraints. Batoniite is characterized by isolated [Al8(OH)14(H2O)18]10+ polyoxocations, H-bonded to five interstitial (SO4)2− and five H2O groups. In type material, it is associated with gypsum and a poorly crystallized Al–Fe sulfate. The crystallization of batoniite is probably due to the action of H2SO4 on Al-bearing rocks of Paleozoic age cropping out in the Garibaldi Tunnel, the lowest mining level of the Cetine di Cotorniano Mine.