A fumarole in a one-pot: synthesis, crystal structure and properties of Zn- and Mg-analogs of itelmenite and a synthetic analog of glikinite

Anhydrous sulfate minerals are abundant in the active fumaroles with highly oxidizing conditions on scoria cones of Tolbachik volcano. The mineral itelmenite, ideally Na2CuMg2(SO4)4, containing isomorphous admixture Zn, was described 2018, whereas glikinite, Zn3O(SO4)2, 2020. Synthetic analogs both were obtained during studies phase formation Na2SO4–CuSO4–MgSO4–(ZnSO4) systems which lead to essentially different results. Solid-state syntheses resulted several compounds previously known as only. Both Zn- and Mg-containing itelmenite prepared exhibit slight deviations from ideal Na2CuM2(SO4)4 stoichiometry. Mg compound could be single-phase allowed study its thermal expansion IR spectroscopy. Na2CuMg2(SO4)4 Na2CuZn2(SO4)4 evaluated for Na+-ion diffusion. For Zn compound, by-products observed synthetic puninite Na2Cu3O(SO4)2, well hermannjahnite CuZn(SO4)2 glikinite-type (Zn,Cu)3O(SO4)2. All them via solid-state reactions open systems. (Zn,Cu)3O(SO4)2 structurally characterized by single-crystal XRD. In Zn-bearing system, Cu2+ likely controls itelmenite-type phases. results experiments deduce possible scenarios processes some other endemic fumarolic minerals. Our shows that outstanding mineralogical diversity is not only due gas enriched transition metals involves also intensive exchange host basaltic scoria. Similar seem responsible recrystallization many species high-temperature recent eruptions.