Mellite, also called honeystone, is an unusual mineral being also an organic chemical. It is chemically identified as an aluminium salt of mellitic acid, and specifically as aluminium benzenehexacarboxylate hexadecahydrate, with the chemical formula Al2C6(COO)6·16H2O.[4]
It is a translucent honey-coloured crystal which can be polished and faceted to form striking gemstones. It crystallizes in the tetragonal system and occurs both in good crystals and as formless masses. It is soft with a Mohs hardness of 2 to 2.5 and has a low specific gravity of 1.6.[2][4]
It was discovered originally in 1789 at Artern in Thuringia, Germany. It has subsequently also been found in Russia, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Hungary. It was named from the Greek μέλι meli "honey",[5] in allusion to its color.[3]
Он связан с бурым углем и, как предполагается, образован из растительного материала с алюминием, полученным из глины . [2]
Кристаллическая структура меллита определена методом нейтронографии и состоит из слегка искаженных октаэдров Al(H 2 O) 6 3+ , связанных водородными связями с меллитат- анионами [C 6 (COO) 6 ] 6- и кристаллизационной водой . [6]
