Crystal structure of mineral sinoite (silicon oxynitride, Si2N2O). Red: O, blue: N, gray: Si. Ohashi, Masayoshi et al. (1993). "Solid Solubility of Aluminum in O'-SiAlON". J. Am. Ceram. Soc. 76 : 2112-2114. DOI : 10.1111/j.1151-2916.1993.tb08343.x . — Photo: Materialscientist · CC BY-SA 3.0
Sinoite
A rare silicon oxynitride (Si₂N₂O) found in chondrite meteorites.
Intro adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA).
Sinoite is an IMA-recognized mineral species in the silicate class, with the chemical formula Si₂N₂O.
It crystallizes in the orthorhombic crystal system (space group Cmc2_1).
Key properties: specific gravity 2.8–2.85; refractive index 1.817; optically biaxial.
IMA symbol Sno, IMA status: approved, named in 1964.
A rare mineral embedded in enstatite in chondritic meteorites.
It is found associated with Enstatite, nickel-iron, plagioclase, troilite, pigeonite, daubreelite, oldhamite, ferroan alabandite, graphite, tridymite (Jajh deh Kot Lalu meteorite).
The name refers to SIlicon, Nitrogen, and Oxygen in the composition.