Ferrodimolybdenite, FeMo3+2S4 from Daba-Siwaqa, Jordan - the first natural compound of trivalent molybdenum

Evgeny V. Galuskin, Irina O. Galuskina, Joachim Kusz, Maria Książek, Yevgeny Vapnik, Grzegorz Zieliński

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Ferrodimolybdenite with ideal formula FeMo3+2S4 (C2/c, a = 11.8249(8) Å, b = 6.5534(3) Å, c = 13.0052(10) Å, β = 114.474(9)°, V = 917.27(12) Å3, Z = 8) was discovered in a differentiated sulfide nodule composed of troilite and pentlandite parts. The nodule was detected in the central zone of a diopside-anorthite-tridymite oval paralava body, approximately 30 metres in diameter, within the pyrometamorphic Hatrurim Complex in Daba-Siwaqa, Jordan. Ferrodimolybdenite is the first trivalent molybdenum compound discovered in nature. Its synthetic analogue crystallizes in the C1c1 space group. Ferrodimolybdenite with the empirical formula (Fe2+0.99Cu2+0.07Ni2+0.04)Σ1.10 Mo3+1.94(S2-3.98P3-0.02)Σ4.00 was identified in the troilite part of the differentiated sulfide nodule. The nodule contains inclusions of tetrataenite, nickelphosphide, molybdenite, galena and rudashevskyite. Ferrodimolybdenite forms platy crystals with dimensions ranging from 3×100 μm to 20×40 μm. The mineral exhibits a grey colour and a dark grey streak. It is opaque with a metallic lustre, and its Mohs hardness is approximately 3. The cleavage observed in the mineral is perfect on {001}, good on {100} and poor on {010}. Its tenacity is sectile, and its fracture is smooth. The calculated density of 5.445 g·cm-3 was derived from the empirical formula and unit cell volume refined from single crystal XRD data. In reflected light, ferrodimolybdenite appears grey to light grey with a blueish tinge. It is anisotropic, with a reflectance in the range of 34-40%. The crystallization of ferrodimolybdenite occurred in reduced conditions in monosulfide Fe(+Ni) melt at a temperature of 1000-1100oC and at low pressure.

Original languageEnglish
JournalMineralogical Magazine
DOIs
StateAccepted/In press - 1 Jan 2024

Keywords

  • crystal structure
  • Daba Siwaqa
  • ferrodimolybdenite
  • Hatrurim Complex
  • Jordan
  • Mo
  • new mineral

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Geochemistry and Petrology

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