A substance capable of crystallizing in several distinct forms; also, any one of these forms. Cf. Allomorph.
Two compounds that have the same composition, but different crystal structures are said to be polymorphs. Examples: calcite/aragonite, quartz/coesite, forsterite/wadsleyite, sillimanite/andalusite/kyanite.
One of two or more alternative possible structures for a single chemical compound; for example, the minerals calcite and aragonite are polymorphs of calcium carbonate (CaCO3).
A specific crystal form of a solid. Many solids exist in several polymorphs, this means that a compound with the same chemical structure may exist in different crystal forms. The interesting thing about polymorphs is that (pharmaceutical) companies can apply for a patent on a polymorph. If the polymorph patent is granted, the (pharmaceutical) company will own the exclusive rights on the crystal form for a certain time period. This is one of the reasons why pharmaceutical companies are collaborating with Avantium. Avantium can carry out high-throughput polymorph screening, which means that we try to crystallize the API in many different ways to discover as many polymorphs as possible.
(pol'-y-morph) A chemical composition that can occur in more than one atomic or mineral structure. Graphite and diamond (C), calcite and aragonite (CaCO3), andalusite and sillimanite and kyanite (Al2SiO5), low quartz, high quartz, cristobalite, tridymite, coesite, and stishovite (SiO2) are all examples of polymorphs.
When two minerals have the same chemical composition, but different crystal structure, they are said to be polymorphs. For example, calcite and aragonite are polymorphs of calcium carbonate.
A mineral that is identical to another mineral in chemical composition but differs from it in crystal structure.
a mineral that has the same chemical formula as another, but a different crystal structure
a mineral that shares the same chemistry but a different crystal structure with another, or other, minerals
a mineral that shares the same chemistry with other minerals but has a different crystal structure
A polymorph of a mineral has the same chemical composition as the mineral, but a different atomic structures. By having a different atomic structure, it means that a mineral is more stable in different conditions. For example stishovite has an atomic structure which is much denser than the atomic structure of quartz. This means that is more stable than quartz in high pressure conditions.
minerals which have the same chemical formula, but a different structure are termed polymorphs.
polymorphism; polymorphic. Compare with isotope and allotrope. Solid substances that occur in several distinct forms. Polymorphs have different chemical and physical properties. allotropes are polymorphs of elements.
a zooid differing in morphology and function from ordinary feeding zooids (autozooids). May have a reproductive, defensive, connective or supporting function.