MOLYBDENUM

MOLYBDENUM

CAS Number: 7439-98-7
EC Number: 231-107-2
MDL number: MFCD00003465
Empirical Formula: Mo

Molybdenum is a chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42. 
The name is from Neo-Latin molybdaenum, which is based on Ancient Greek Μόλυβδος molybdos, meaning lead, since its ores were confused with lead ores. 
Molybdenum minerals have been known throughout history, but the element was discovered (in the sense of differentiating it as a new entity from the mineral salts of other metals) in 1778 by Carl Wilhelm Scheele. 
Molybdenum was first isolated in 1781 by Peter Jacob Hjelm.

Molybdenum does not occur naturally as a free metal on Earth; Molybdenum is found only in various oxidation states in minerals. 
Molybdenum, a silvery metal with a grey cast, has the sixth-highest melting point of any element. 
Most molybdenum compounds have low solubility in water, but when molybdenum-bearing minerals contact oxygen and water, the resulting molybdate ion MoO2−4 is quite soluble.

Molybdenum-bearing enzymes are by far the most common bacterial catalysts for breaking the chemical bond in atmospheric molecular nitrogen in the process of biological nitrogen fixation.
At least 50 molybdenum enzymes are now known in bacteria, plants, and animals, although only bacterial and cyanobacterial enzymes are involved in nitrogen fixation. 
These nitrogenases contain an iron-molybdenum cofactor FeMoco, which is believed to contain either Mo(III) or Mo(IV).

This is distinct from the fully oxidized Mo(VI) found complexed with molybdopterin in all other molybdenum-bearing enzymes, which perform a variety of crucial functions.
The variety of crucial reactions catalyzed by these latter enzymes means that molybdenum is an essential element for all higher eukaryote organisms, including humans.

The human body contains about 0.07 mg of molybdenum per kilogram of body weight, with higher concentrations in the liver and kidneys and lower in the vertebrae. 
Molybdenum is also present within human tooth enamel and may help prevent its decay.
Molybdenum works in the body to break down proteins and other substances.
Molybdenum deficiency is very uncommon.
Molybdenum has an important role in normal body functions.

Molybdenum is a silvery-white metal that is ductile and highly resistant to corrosion. 
Molybdenum has one of the highest melting points of all pure elements — only the elements tantalum and tungsten have higher melting points. 
Molybdenum is also a micronutrient essential for life.

As a transistion metal, molybdenum easily forms compounds with other elements. 
Molybdenum comprises 1.2 parts per million (ppm) of the Earth's crust by weight, but Molybdenum is not found free in nature. 
The main molybdenum ore is molybdenite (molybdenum disulfide), but can also be found in wulfenite (lead molybdate) and powellite (calcium molybdate). 

Molybdenum is recovered as a by-product of copper or tungsten mining. 
Molybdenum is mined primarily in the United States, China, Chile and Peru. 
World production is around 200,000 tons per year, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC). 
Molybdenum is a micronutrient essential for life.

Molybdenum is present in dozens of enzymes. 
One of these important enzymes is nitrogenase, which allows nitrogen in the atmosphere to be taken up and transformed into compounds that allow bacteria, plants, animals and humans to synthesize and utilize proteins. 
In humans, molybdenum's main function is to serve as a catalyst for enzymes and to help break down amino acids in the body.
In plants, molybdenum is an essential trace element necessary for nitrogen fixation and other metabolic processes. 

Molybdenum has the unique quality of being less soluble in acidic soils and more soluble in alkaline soils (Molybdenum's typically the opposite for other micronutrients). 
Therefore, molybdenum's availability to plants is quite sensitive to pH and drainage conditions. 
In alkaline soils, for example, some plants can have up to 500 ppm of molybdenum, according to Lenntech. 
In contrast, other lands are barren due to a lack of molybdenum in the soil.

Molybdenum is the 54th most common element in the Earth's crust.
The molybdenum atom has half the atomic weight and density as tungsten. 
Because of this molybdenum often replaces tungsten in steel alloys, offering the same metallurgical effect with only half as much metal, according to Encyclopaedia Britannica.

"Big Bertha," the German 43-ton gun used in World War II, contained molybdenum, rather than iron, as an essential component of Molybdenum's steel, because of Molybdenum's much higher melting point.
Molybdenite, or molybdena, is a soft black mineral once used to make pencils. 
Molybdenum was thought to contain lead and was often confused for graphite.
Molybdenite is used in certain nickel-based alloys, such as the Hastelloys -- patented alloys that are highly resistant to heat and corrosion and chemical solutions.

Molybdenum (Mo), chemical element, silver-gray refractory metal of Group 6 (VIb) of the periodic table, used to impart superior strength to steel and other alloys at high temperature.
The Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele had demonstrated (c. 1778) that the mineral molybdaina (now molybdenite), for a long time thought to be a lead ore or graphite, certainly contains sulfur and possibly a previously unknown metal. 
At Scheele’s suggestion, Peter Jacob Hjelm, another Swedish chemist, successfully isolated the metal (1782) and named it molybdenum, from the Greek molybdos, “lead.”

Molybdenum is not found free in nature. 
A relatively rare element, Molybdenum is about as abundant as tungsten, which Molybdenum resembles. 
For molybdenum the chief ore is molybdenite—molybdenum disulfide, MoS2—but molybdates such as lead molybdate, PbMoO4 (wulfenite), and MgMoO4 are also found. 
Most commercial production is from ores containing the mineral molybdenite. 
Molybdenum is usually roasted in an excess of air to yield molybdenum trioxide (MoO3), also called technical molybdic oxide, which, after purification, can be reduced with hydrogen to the metal. 

Subsequent treatment depends on the ultimate use of molybdenum. 
Molybdenum may be added to steel in the furnace in the form of either technical oxide or ferromolybdenum. 
Ferromolybdenum (containing at least 60 percent molybdenum) is produced by igniting a mixture of technical oxide and iron oxide. 
Molybdenum metal is produced in the form of a powder by hydrogen reduction of chemically pure molybdic oxide or ammonium molybdate, (NH4)2MoO4. 
The Molybdenum powder is converted to massive metal by the powder-metallurgy process or by the arc-casting process.

Molybdenum-base alloys and the metal itself have useful strength at temperatures above which most other metals and alloys are molten. 
The major use of molybdenum, however, is as an alloying agent in the production of ferrous and nonferrous alloys, to which Molybdenum uniquely contributes hot strength and corrosion resistance, e.g., in jet engines, combustion liners, and afterburner parts. 

Molybdenum is one of the most effective elements for increasing hardenability of iron and steel, and Molybdenum also contributes to the toughness of quenched and tempered steels. 
The high corrosion resistance needed in the stainless steels used for processing pharmaceuticals and in the chromium steels for automotive trim is uniquely enhanced by small additions of molybdenum. 
Metallic molybdenum has been used for such electric and electronic parts as filament supports, anodes, and grids. 
Rod or wire is used for heating elements in electric furnaces operating up to 1,700 °C (3,092 °F). 
Coatings of molybdenum adhere firmly to steel, iron, aluminum, and other metals and show excellent resistance to wear.

Molybdenum is rather resistant to attack by acids, except for mixtures of concentrated nitric and hydrofluoric acids, and Molybdenum can be attacked rapidly by alkaline oxidizing melts, such as fused mixtures of potassium nitrate and sodium hydroxide or sodium peroxide; aqueous alkalies, however, are without effect. 
Molybdenum is inert to oxygen at normal temperature but combines with it readily at red heat, to give the trioxides, and is attacked by fluorine at room temperature, to give the hexafluorides.

Natural molybdenum is a mixture of seven stable isotopes: molybdenum-92 (15.84 percent), molybdenum-94 (9.04 percent), molybdenum-95 (15.72 percent), molybdenum-96 (16.53 percent), molybdenum-97 (9.46 percent), molybdenum-98 (23.78 percent), and molybdenum-100 (9.13 percent). 
Molybdenum exhibits oxidation states of +2 to +6 and is considered to display the zero oxidation state in the carbonyl Mo(CO)6. 

Molybdenum(+6) appears in the trioxide, the most important compound, from which most of Molybdenum's other compounds are prepared, and in the molybdates (containing the anion MoO42−), used to produce pigments and dyes. 
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), which resembles graphite, is used as a solid lubricant or as an additive to greases and oils. Molybdenum forms hard, refractory, and chemically inert interstitial compounds with boron, carbon, nitrogen, and silicon upon direct reaction with those elements at high temperatures.
The largest producers of molybdenum are China, the United States, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Canada.

You may not have heard of the trace mineral molybdenum, but Molybdenum is essential to your health.
Though your body only needs tiny amounts, Molybdenum’s a key component of many vital functions. 
Molybdenum is widely available in the diet, but supplements are still popular. 

Molybdenum is an essential mineral in the body, just like iron and magnesium.
Molybdenum is present in soil and transferred into your diet when you consume plants, as well as animals that feed on those plants.
There is very little data on the specific molybdenum content of certain foods, as Molybdenum depends on the content of the soil.
Although amounts vary, the richest sources are usually beans, lentils, grains and organ meats, particularly liver and kidney. Poorer sources include other animal products, fruits and many vegetables.

Studies have shown that your body doesn’t absorb Molybdenum well from certain foods, particularly soy products. 
However, this is not considered a problem since other foods are so rich in it.
Since your body only needs Molybdenum in trace amounts and Molybdenum’s abundant in many foods, molybdenum deficiency is rare. 
For this reason, people don’t usually need supplements, unless for some specific medical reasons.

Molybdenum is vital for many processes in your body.
Once you eat Molybdenum, Molybdenum is absorbed into your blood from your stomach and gut, then carried to your liver, kidneys and other areas.
Some of this mineral is stored in the liver and kidneys, but most of it is converted into a molybdenum cofactor. 
Any excess molybdenum is then passed in urine.

The molybdenum cofactor activates four essential enzymes, which are biological molecules that drive chemical reactions in the body. 
Below are the four enzymes:
-Sulfite oxidase: 
Converts sulfite to sulfate, preventing the dangerous buildup of sulfites in the body.
-Aldehyde oxidase: 
Breaks down aldehydes, which can be toxic to the body. 
Also, Molybdenum helps the liver break down alcohol and some drugs, such as those used in cancer therapy.

-Xanthine oxidase: 
Converts xanthine to uric acid. 
This reaction helps break down nucleotides, the building blocks of DNA, when they’re no longer needed. 
They can then be excreted in the urine .
-Mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (mARC): 
This enzyme’s function isn’t fully understood, but it’s thought to remove toxic byproducts of metabolism.

Molybdenum’s role in breaking down sulfites is especially important.
Sulfites are found naturally in foods and also sometimes added as a preservative. 
If they build up in the body, they can trigger an allergic reaction that can include diarrhea, skin problems or even breathing difficulties.

Molybdenum is an essential trace element that is naturally present in many foods and is also available as a dietary supplement. 
Molybdenum is a structural constituent of molybdopterin, a cofactor synthesized by the body and required for the function of four enzymes: sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (mARC). These enzymes metabolize sulfur-containing amino acids and heterocyclic compounds including purines and pyrimidines. 
Xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and mARC are also involved in metabolizing drugs and toxins.

Molybdenum appears to be absorbed via a passive nonmediated process, though where absorption occurs in the intestinal tract is not known. 
Adults absorb 40% to 100% of dietary molybdenum. 
Infants absorb almost all of the molybdenum in breast milk or formula.
The kidneys are the main regulators of molybdenum levels in the body and are responsible for Molybdenum's excretion. 
Molybdenum, in the form of molybdopterin, is stored in the liver, kidney, adrenal glands, and bone.

Molybdenum is silvery white, very hard transition metal, but is softer and more ductile than tungsten. 
Scheele discovered Molybdenum in 1778. 
Molybdenum was often confused with graphite and lead ore. 
Molybdenum has a high elastic modulus, and only tungsten and tantalum, of the more readily available metals, have higher melting points. 
Molybdenum has one of the highest melting points of all pure elements. 
Molybdenum is attacked slowly by acids.

Molybdenum differs from the other micronutrients in soils in that Molybdenum is less soluble in acid soils and more soluble in alkaline soils, the result being that Molybdenum's availability to plants is sensitive to pH and drainage conditions. 
Some plants can have up to 500 ppm of the metal when they grow on alkaline soils.

Molybdenite is the chief mineral ore, with wulfenite being less important. 
Some molybdenite is obtained as a by-product of tungsen and copper production. 
The main mining areas are the USA, Chile, Canada and Russia, with world production being around 90.000 tonnes per year, and reserves amounting to 12 million tonnes of which 5 million tonnes are in the USA.

The molybdenum atom is part of the molybdenum cofactor in the active site of four enzymes in humans: sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component. 
Molybdenum is an essential trace element for virtually all life forms. 
Molybdenum functions as a cofactor for a number of enzymes that catalyze important chemical transformations in the global carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur cycles. 
Thus, molybdenum-dependent enzymes are not only required for human health, but also for the health of our ecosystem.
The biological form of the molybdenum atom is an organic molecule known as the molybdenum cofactor (Moco) present in the active site of Moco-containing enzymes (molybdoenzymes). 

In humans, molybdenum is known to function as a cofactor for four enzymes:
-Sulfite oxidase catalyzes the transformation of sulfite to sulfate, a reaction that is necessary for the metabolism of sulfur-containing amino acids (methionine and cysteine). 
Recent evidence also indicates a role for sulfite oxidase in the reduction of nitrite to nitric oxide.
-Mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component (mARC) was described fairly recently, and its precise function is still under investigation.

-Xanthine oxidase catalyzes the breakdown of nucleotides (precursors to DNA and RNA) to form uric acid, which contributes to the plasma antioxidant capacity of the blood.
-Aldehyde oxidase and xanthine oxidase catalyze hydroxylation reactions that involve a number of different molecules with similar chemical structures. 
Xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase also play a role in the metabolism of drugs and toxins.

 
Molybdenum availability is affected by pH. 
Molybdenum is highly available in alkaline soils. 
Organic matter is capable of complexing molybdenum. 
The complexes make Molybdenum more available and protect it from being fixed in the soil. 
Coarse-textured soils are more liable to lose their molybdenum very quickly. 

Molybdenum increases with moisture content. 
Sensitivity of crops to molybdenum differs greatly. 
Sources of molybdenum include sodium molybdate and ammonium molybdate, molybdenum trioxide, molybdenite, and molybdenum frits. 
Methods of application include soil and foliar application, seed treatment, and seedbed application. 
In many countries with molybdenum deficiency, seed is treated with molybdenum before it is sold to farmers.

Molybdenum is an essential trace element for both animals and plants; hence, trace quantities of molybdenum are beneficial and perhaps essential for the normal growth and development of plants and animals. 
In mammals, molybdenum is a component of certain metalloflavoproteins, including xanthine oxidase, sulfite oxidase, and aldehyde oxidase, and Molybdenum protects against poisoning by copper, mercury, and other metals, and may have anticarcinogenic properties. 
In plants, Molybdenum is necessary for fixing of atmospheric nitrogen by bacteria at the start of protein synthesis. 
For all organisms, the interpretation of molybdenum residues depends on knowledge of not only molybdenum, but also copper and inorganic sulfate concentrations in diet and in tissues. 

The name comes from the Neo-Latin term molybdaenum, which is based on the Ancient Greek word molybdos, meaning lead, since Molybdenum's ores were confused with lead ores.
Molybdenum is a shiny silvery-white metal that is ductile and highly resistant to corrosion. 
Molybdenum has one of the highest melting points of all pure elements, together with tantalum and tungsten.
Molybdenum’s a silvery metal that lies between chromium and tungsten in Group 6 of the periodic table.

At least 50 molybdenum enzymes have now been identified in bacteria, plants, and animals. 
One of these important enzymes is nitrogenase, which allows nitrogen in the atmosphere to be absorbed and transformed into compounds that enable bacteria, plants, animals and humans to synthesize and utilize proteins. 
Molybdenum is an essential element for all higher eukaryote organisms due to the variety of crucial reactions catalyzed by molybdenum-bearing enzymes, which are by far the most common bacterial catalysts used to break the chemical bond in atmospheric molecular nitrogen as part of the biological nitrogen fixation process.

In the form of molybdate the transition metal molybdenum is essential for plants as Molybdenum is required by a number of enzymes that catalyze key reactions in nitrogen assimilation, purine degradation, phytohormone synthesis, and sulfite detoxification. 
However, molybdate itself is biologically inactive and needs to be complexed by a specific organic pterin in order to serve as a permanently bound prosthetic group, the molybdenum cofactor, for the socalled molybdo-enyzmes. 
While the synthesis of molybdenum cofactor has been intensively studied, only little is known about the uptake of molybdate by the roots, Molybdenum's transport to the shoot and Molybdenum's allocation and storage within the cell. 

Yet, recent evidence indicates that intracellular molybdate levels are tightly controlled by molybdate transporters, in particular during plant development. 
Moreover, a tight connection between molybdenum and iron metabolisms is presumed because 
(i) uptake mechanisms for molybdate and iron affect each other, 
(ii) most molybdo-enzymes do also require iron-containing redox groups such as iron-sulfur clusters or heme, 
(iii) molybdenum metabolism has recruited mechanisms typical for iron-sulfur cluster synthesis, and 
(iv) both molybdenum cofactor synthesis and extramitochondrial iron-sulfur proteins involve the function of a specific mitochondrial ABC-type transporter.

Molybdenum is a transition metal, which occurs in the lithosphere at an average abundance of 1.2 mg kg-1 and represents one of the scarcest trace elements in biological systems. 
In the soil, molybdenum exists predominantly in the form of the oxyanion molybdate, which serves as an essential micronutrient in all kingdoms of life. 

Yet, molybdate alone does not exhibit biological activity, but is bound to an organic pterin backbone, which upon binding of molybdate is converted into the molybdenum cofactor (Moco). 
Once being incorporated as prosthetic group, Moco becomes part of the active site of molybdo-enzymes, where molybdenum can vary Molybdenum's oxidation state between Mo(IV), Mo(V), and Mo(VI), thereby enabling the respective protein to transfer electrons, and in most cases also oxygen, from or to a substrate.

Due to Molybdenum's special importance for plants, another molybdenum-containing cofactor exclusively found in certain bacteria is mentioned. 
This cofactor is part of the unique enzyme nitrogenase that catalyzes the fixation of nitrogen by reduction of atmospheric N2 to NH3 in free-living, but also symbiotic bacteria in the nodules of legumes. 
Unlike Moco however, the nitrogenase cofactor is constituted of molybdenum ligated to a complex iron-sulfur cluster and homocitrate and therefore is named FeMoco.

In soil, a critical point concerns the bioavailability of molybdate, which is favored above pH 5.5 and impaired at lower pH due to the adsorption of molybdate to soil oxides. 
Under low-pH conditions, molybdate assimilation is therefore limited resulting in molybdenum deficiency associated with reduced molybdo-enzyme activities and reductions in plant growth and yield. 
Fortunately, this type of molybdenum deficiency can be compensated by fertilization with molybdate or by increasing the soil pH by liming. 

Molybdenum (element #42, symbol Mo) is a metallic, lead-gray element, with a high melting point (4,730 degrees Fahrenheit).
This is 2,000 degrees higher than the melting point of steel, and 1,000 degrees higher than the melting temperature of most rocks.  
Molybdenum was discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1778, and was isolated and named by Peter Jacob Hjelm in 1781.

The most important ore source of molybdenum is the mineral molybdenite; a minor amount is recovered from the mineral wulfenite.  
Molybdenum commonly is recovered as a by-product or co-product from copper mining.  
The U.S. produces significant quantities of molybdenite. 
The major producers of molybdenum in 2013 were China, the USA, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Canada.
Molybdenum məlĭb´dənəm, metallic chemical element; symbol Mo; at. no. 42; at. wt. 95.96; m.p. about 2,617°C; b.p. about 4,612°C; sp. gr. 10.22 at 20°C; valence +2, +3, +4, +5, or +6. 
Molybdenum is a hard, malleable, ductile, high-melting, silver-white metal with a body-centered cubic crystalline structure. 

Molybdenum is below chromium in Group 6 of the periodic table. 
Molybdenum resists corrosion at ordinary temperatures. 
In forming compounds, as in oxides, sulfides, and halides, Molybdenum exhibits variable valence. 
In Molybdenum's most important compounds, however, Molybdenum has an oxidation state of +6, as in the trioxide, which forms a series of compounds known as the molybdates. 

Molybdenum does not occur uncombined in nature. 
Molybdenum's chief ore is molybdenite (molybdenum disulfide, MoS2). 
Molybdenum also occurs in wulfenite (a lead molybdate) and powellite (a calcium molybdate-tungstate). 
Molybdenum is widely but sparingly distributed throughout the world; Molybdenum is found in the United States, Canada, Europe, Australia, Chile, Russia, and China. 

Large amounts of molybdenite are mined at Climax, Colo. 
Molybdenum ore is also obtained as a byproduct of copper mining. 
The ores are usually concentrated by the flotation process before being refined. 
The actual refining process depends on the ultimate use. 
The molybdenite may be purified for use in lubricants. 
Almost all molybdenum ore is converted by roasting to molybdic oxide, MoO3. 

The oxide may be added directly to steel or may be converted to ferromolybdenum by a thermal process; this alloy is used to add molybdenum to other iron and steel alloys. 
The oxide may be further purified by sublimation, or converting directly from the solid to vapor state, and then reduced to molybdenum powder by reaction with carbon, aluminum, or hydrogen. 
The oxide may be dissolved in ammonium hydroxide; the solution is filtered and evaporated to yield ammonium molybdate, (NH4)2Mo2O7. 

Molybdenum (Mo) is a refractory metallic element used principally as an alloying agent in steel, cast iron, and superalloys to enhance hardenability, strength, toughness, and wear and corrosion resistance.   
To achieve desired metallurgical properties, molybdenum, primarily in the form of molybdic oxide or ferromolybdenum, is frequently used in combination with or added to chromium, manganese, niobium, nickel, tungsten, or other alloy metals.   

Molybdenum was discovered by Carl Welhelm Scheele, a Swedish chemist, in 1778 in a mineral known as molybdenite (MoS2) which had been confused as a lead compound. 
Molybdenum was isolated by Peter Jacob Hjelm in 1781. 
Today, most molybdenum is obtained from molybdenite, wulfenite (PbMoO4) and powellite (CaMoO4). 
These ores typically occur in conjunction with ores of tin and tungsten.
Molybdenum is also obtained as a byproduct of mining and processing tungsten and copper.

Molybdenum is classified as a metallic element and found widely in nature in nitrogen-fixing bacteria. 
Molybdenum is essential in trace amounts for human, animal and plant health. 
In humans and animals, Molybdenum serves mainly as an essential cofactor of enzymes and aids in the metabolism of fats and carbohydrates. 
Humans need only very small amounts of molybdenum, which are easily attained through a healthy diet. 
A deficiency is very rare in humans, so supplements are rarely needed.

Molybdenum is a natural element used to develop a wide variety of products applicable to the transport, construction, energy, agriculture and healthcare industries. 
This chemical element is also found, in small amounts, in plants, animals and even in the human body, which means that there is no life without it.

Molybdenum has one of the highest melting points (2,623 °C) and one of the lowest coefficients of thermal expansion (dilation): 5.04 x 10-6 (1/K).
Another noteworthy feature is Molybdenum's great resistance to corrosion, molybdenum maintains Molybdenum's structure stable both at room temperature and at temperatures reaching 400 °C. 

Besides, Molybdenum also maintains Molybdenum's properties in non-oxidative conditions, resists non-oxidative mineral acids and is relatively inert to environments containing hydrogen sulfide. 
Molybdenum is also resistant to iodine, bromide and chloride vapor; and to liquid metals like bismuth, lithium, potassium and sodium. 
This resistance to corrosion may even be increased when molybdenum is in alloys with tungsten and chrome.

Molybdenum (Mo) is a chemical element in the periodic table with atomic number 42, discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1778. 
Molybdenum's name is derived from the Greek word Molybdos which means lead.
Molybdenum is a silvery white, hard transition metal and has one of the highest melting points of all pure elements.
Molybdenum can be attacked slowly by acids.
Molybdenum is known to have 35 different isotopes varying in atomic mass from 83 to 117.

Molybdenum is a hard and brittle material. 
The most important properties include a high melting point and low vapor pressure. 
At the same time, Molybdenum has a high density and rigidity as well as good thermal conductivity and low thermal expansion. Molybdenum is considered to be very resistant to most acids and alkalis. 
The properties are comparable to tungsten, which makes the areas of application similar.

Molybdenum is an essential element. 
Molybdenum’s a cofactor for several enzymes. 
Molybdenum is stored mainly in the liver, kidneys, spleen, lungs, brain, and muscles.
Molybdenum is a part of several enzyme systems. 
These enzymes are in charge of the breakdown of xanthine, hypoxanthine, and sulfite. 
They also break down and detoxify many harmful compounds in the body.

The ability of your body to store molybdenum varies with intake levels. 
Molybdenum’s affected by the amount of copper and sulfate in your diet.
More recently, molybdenum has begun playing a role in renewable energy technology, including solar and wind power. 
For example, a new type of solar panel made of copper-indium-gallium-selenide (CIGS) cells uses molybdenum in a thin layer near the bottom of each cell to help transfer the electricity generated from the cell to circuits external to the panel.

Molybdenum is a silvery-white, malleable metal that does not occur in metallic form in nature. 
Although a number of molybdenum-bearing minerals have been identified, only one has commercial significance: molybdenite, a natural molybdenum sulfide. 
Molybdenite concentrate is converted to molybdic oxide, which in turn is used to produce intermediate products, such as ferromolybdenum, metal powder and various chemicals.

Most of the world’s molybdenum comes from byproduct or coproduct copper-molybdenum deposits in the Western Cordillera of North America and South America; most of the remainder comes from primary molybdenum deposits in Canada, China and the United States.
Molybdenum has an exceptionally high melting point and is invaluable as an alloy in carbon steel, cast iron and superalloys to enhance strength, toughness and resistance to wear and corrosion. 

Metallurgical applications dominated molybdenum use in 2008, accounting for about 88 percent of total U.S. consumption. 
Stainless and full-alloy steels are the major markets, followed by tool steels, high-strength low-alloy steels and carbon steels. 
There is typically between 1 and 6 percent molybdenum in stainless steel. 
However, the most commonly used molybdenum-bearing grade of steel contains between 2 and 3 percent molybdenum.

Molybdenum is a chemical element with Mo as its symbol.
Molybdenum belongs to group 6 and periodic 5 of the periodic table. 
Molybdenum's atomic number is 42, and has a Mohs hardness of 5.5.
Molybdenum can be obtained from the minerals molybdenite, wulfenite and powellite. 
Molybdenum is also obtained as a byproduct during tungsten and copper mining and processing. 

Molybdenum has one of the highest melting points of all pure elements; however Molybdenum is not resistant to acids.
The main molybdenum mining areas are USA, Canada, Chile, and Russia.
Molybdenum is an essential mineral. 
The human body requires very low quantities of molybdenum to support three groups of enzymes.
Molybdenum deficiencies are extremely rare, since molybdenum is easily available through the diet, as Molybdenum is found in grains and water. 

The body easily retains molybdenum, and only needs a few micrograms.
Molybdenum functions as a cofactor for three groups of enzymes, meaning Molybdenum is needed for the enzymes to do their job. 
Molybdenum is incorporated into a molecule called molybdopterin, which forms the actual cofactor. 

Molybdenum (Mo) is a metallic element that is naturally present, usually at low levels, in the earth's crust. 
Trace amounts of molybdenum are necessary for human health and are obtained from common foods in the diet such as leafy vegetables, legumes, grains and organ meats. 
Higher concentrations have been found in soil or groundwater, typically in conjunction with spills or some historic waste disposal practices. 
Residents are advised to avoid the extremely low risk associated with future molybdenum exposures by not consuming water that contains molybdenum above the Wisconsin health advisory level of 90 micrograms per liter (μg/L). 

The element molybdenum is a transition metal belonging to group 6 of the periodic table (Other transition metals include vanadium and titanium ). 
This silver element is a refractory metal, meaning Molybdenum is extremely resistant to high temperatures and corrosion. 
Molybdenum makes up about 1.2 ppm of the Earth’s crust and is not found freely in nature. 
There are many important properties of molybdenum that should be appreciated, including Molybdenum's good thermal and electrical conductivity, ductility as well as strength, and its high density of 10.2 g/cm3. 

Molybdenum is a trace element that functions as a cofactor for at least 4 enzymes: sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component. 
In each case, molybdenum is bound to a complex, multiring organic component called molybdopterin, forming the entity molybdenum cofactor. 
The best sources of dietary molybdenum are legumes, grains, and nuts. 
Bioavailability of molybdenum is fairly high but depends on form, with molybdenum preparations having greater bioavailability than food-bound molybdenum. 

Molybdenum is a trace element that was discovered in 1778 by Swedish chemist Karl Scheele. 
Initially mistaking the substance for lead, he later realized that he had encountered a new element, which he named molybdenum after the mineral molybdenite, which had acquired its name from the Greek work “molybdos,” meaning “lead-like.” 
Molybdenum was known to be essential to plant life long before Molybdenum's essentiality to animals was realized. 
In 1953, molybdenum’s role as a cofactor for the enzyme xanthine oxidase was discovered,1,2 establishing the essentiality of molybdenum in the diet.

For humans, molybdenum functions as a cofactor for at least 4 enzymes: sulfite oxidase, xanthine oxidase, aldehyde oxidase, and mitochondrial amidoxime reducing component. 
In each case, molybdenum is bound to a complex, multiring organic component called molybdopterin, forming the entity molybdenum cofactor. 

Molybdenum primarily comes from molybdenite mineral, which was originally thought of to be lead or graphite. 
Simultaneously, Molybdenum was thought that the “lead ore” contained sulfur.  
Molybdenum was not until 1782 when Peter Jacob Hjelm recognized molybdenum. 
The name molybdenum comes from the Greek word “molybdos”, meaning lead-like. 
Molybdenum also describes galena and graphite because their natural forms are all similar structurally. 

Molybdenite is the most abundant molybdenum-containing mineral.
Moybdenite’s applications go all the way back to ancient times; 
A Japanese sword from the 14th century was discovered to contain molybdenum as an alloying element. 
About 200,000 tons of molybdenum is produced annually worldwide. 
The largest miners of this metal are the United States, China, Chile, and Peru.
Luna 24, a space program in Russia, discovered samples of molybdenum on the moon.  

In 1778 Swedish scientist Carl W. Scheele proved that molybdenite was not graphite nor did it contain lead.
Nitric acid does not react with graphite, while the molybdenite produced sulfuric acid and a white solid – we now know this was molybdenum oxide or possibly molybdenum oxide hydrate. 

In 1781, Scheele’s friend and countryman, Peter J. Hjelm isolated the metal by reducing the white solid with carbon. 
He ground the two substances together using linseed oil to form a paste – the paste ensured intimate contact between the carbon and the molybdenite. 
Hjelm heated the mixture strongly in a closed crucible to produce the new metallic element. 
Hjelm called his new metal molybdenum.
The element name comes from the Greek word ‘molybdos’ meaning lead.

Molybdenum is a trace mineral found in foods such as milk, cheese, cereal grains, legumes, nuts, leafy vegetables, and organ meats. The amount in plant-derived foods depends on the soil content in the growing area. 
Molybdenum is also present in water in varying amounts. 
Molybdenum is stored in the body, particularly in the liver, kidneys, glands, and bones. 
It is also found in the lungs, spleen, skin, and muscles. 
About 90% of the molybdenum eaten in foods is eliminated by the body through the urine.

Molybdenum is found in plant foods and reflects the soil content in which they grow. 
Legumes are major contributors of molybdenum in the western diet, as are grain products and nuts. 
Molybdenum acts as a cofactor for the enzymes sulphite oxidase, xanthine oxidase and aldehyde oxidase. 
These enzymes are involved in catabolism of sulphur amino acids and heterocyclic compounds including purines and pyridines. 

Molybdenum (Mo) is the first choice for managing challenging thermal applications because of high thermal conductivity, low thermal expansion and mechanical strengths at elevated temperatures applied in vacuum/inert furnaces, as well as heat sinks for electronic chips. 
Additionally, molybdenum’s good electrical properties have resulted in application in microelectronics as thin film transistor in flat panel displays and electrode for photovoltaic. 
The largest worldwide application of molybdenum is as an alloying element for Tool Steels and High Strength Low Alloy steels, along with Stainless Steels for increasing anti-corrosive properties.

Molybdenum is a lustrous, silvery metal with a melting point of 2620°C (4748°F) and a boiling point of 5560°C (10,040°F). 
Molybdenum has high strength and stiffness and resists softening at increasing temperature, thus making molybdenum one of the highest performing metals in refractory conditions. 
These peak properties are enhanced by excellent thermal conductivity and a low degree of thermal expansion.

Molybdenum is the most commonly used of the refractory metals, a class of elements known for their exceptional mechanical strength and very high melting points. 
Pure molybdenum is a dense silver-white metal with a melting point of 2622 C.1 
As well as a high melting point, molybdenum boasts a number of other desirable properties including corrosion resistance, high electrical conductivity, high thermal conductivity and a useful linear expansion coefficient over a wide temperature range.

Molybdenum and Molybdenum's alloys are highly versatile and can be processed via a range of techniques, including additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, arc melting, electron beam melting, extrusion, forging and hot and cold rolling.
This makes Molybdenum a desirable engineering material. 
Molybdenum can be used in Molybdenum's pure form, and is also commonly combined with other materials such as copper and titanium to form a range of high-performance materials.

Molybdenum is a silver-gray metal that is usually extracted as a by-product of copper and tungsten mining. 
Due to Molybdenum's unique properties, there are a wide variety of molybdenum uses.
Molybdenum metal has a high melting point of 4,730 degrees Fahrenheit, a characteristic that allows for many varied uses. 
Molybdenum is usually sold as a gray powder, which is compressed under high pressure to make products like alloying agents and catalysts for the chemical industry.

Molybdenum is a refractory metal with unique mechanical and chemical properties. 
Molybdenum has a high melting point (2620°C) and boiling point (5,560°C). 
This high strength, tough, hard metal has excellent thermal conductivity, low heat resistance, and low degree of thermal expansion. 
Molybdenum's unique properties give rise to processes and applications in electronics, aerospace, nuclear, and metalworking industries, which would not be possible with many more common metals and alloys.

Molybdenum occurs as the principal metal sulfide in large low-grade porphyry molybdenum deposits and as an associated metal sulfide in low-grade porphyry copper deposits. 
Resources of molybdenum are adequate to supply world needs for the foreseeable future.
When molybdenum is found in low-grade copper deposits, it is typically mined through open pit methods and recovered as a by-product of the copper refining.
When molybdenum forms Molybdenum's own low grade porphyry deposit, the concentration of molybdenum may be of enough grade to merit the cost of an underground operation.

Molybdenum (element #42, symbol Mo) is a metallic, lead-gray element, with a high melting point (4,730 degrees Fahrenheit). 
This is 2,000 degrees higher than the melting point of steel, and 1,000 degrees higher than the melting temperature of most rocks.  Molybdenum was discovered by Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1778, and was isolated and named by Peter Jacob Hjelm in 1781.
The most important ore source of molybdenum is the mineral molybdenite; a minor amount is recovered from the mineral wulfenite.  Molybdenum commonly is recovered as a by-product or co-product from copper mining.  
The U.S. produces significant quantities of molybdenite. 
The major producers of molybdenum in 2013 were China, the USA, Chile, Peru, Mexico, and Canada.

USES and APPLICATIONS of MOLYBDENUM:
-Molybdenum readily forms hard, stable carbides in alloys, and for this reason most of the world production of the element (about 80%) is used in steel alloys, including high-strength alloys and superalloys.
-Industrially, molybdenum compounds (about 14% of world production of the element) are used in high-pressure and high-temperature applications as pigments and catalysts.

-About 86% of molybdenum produced is used in metallurgy, with the rest used in chemical applications. 
The estimated global use is structural steel 35%, stainless steel 25%, chemicals 14%, tool & high-speed steels 9%, cast iron 6%, molybdenum elemental metal 6%, and superalloys 5%.

-Molybdenum can withstand extreme temperatures without significantly expanding or softening, making Molybdenum useful in environments of intense heat, including military armor, aircraft parts, electrical contacts, industrial motors, and supports for filaments in light bulbs.

-Most high-strength steel alloys (for example, 41xx steels) contain 0.25% to 8% molybdenum. 
Even in these small portions, more than 43,000 tonnes of molybdenum are used each year in stainless steels, tool steels, cast irons, and high-temperature superalloys.

-Molybdenum is also valued in steel alloys for its high corrosion resistance and weldability. 
Molybdenum contributes corrosion resistance to type-300 stainless steels (specifically type-316) and especially so in the so-called superaustenitic stainless steels (such as alloy AL-6XN, 254SMO and 1925hMo). 
Molybdenum increases lattice strain, thus increasing the energy required to dissolve iron atoms from the surface. 
Molybdenum is also used to enhance the corrosion resistance of ferritic and martensitic (for example 1.4122 and 1.4418) stainless steels.

-Because of Molybdenum's lower density and more stable price, molybdenum is sometimes used in place of tungsten. 
An example is the 'M' series of high-speed steels such as M2, M4 and M42 as substitution for the 'T' steel series, which contain tungsten. 
Molybdenum can also be used as a flame-resistant coating for other metals. 
Although Molybdenum's melting point is 2,623 °C (4,753 °F), molybdenum rapidly oxidizes at temperatures above 760 °C (1,400 °F) making Molybdenum better-suited for use in vacuum environments.

-TZM (Mo (~99%), Ti (~0.5%), Zr (~0.08%) and some C) is a corrosion-resisting molybdenum superalloy that resists molten fluoride salts at temperatures above 1,300 °C (2,370 °F). 
It has about twice the strength of pure Mo, and is more ductile and more weldable, yet in tests it resisted corrosion of a standard eutectic salt (FLiBe) and salt vapors used in molten salt reactors for 1100 hours with so little corrosion that it was difficult to measure.

-Other molybdenum-based alloys that do not contain iron have only limited applications. 
For example, because of its resistance to molten zinc, both pure molybdenum and molybdenum-tungsten alloys (70%/30%) are used for piping, stirrers and pump impellers that come into contact with molten zinc.

-Molybdenum powder is used as a fertilizer for some plants, such as cauliflower.
-Elemental molybdenum is used in NO, NO2, NOx analyzers in power plants for pollution controls. 
At 350 °C (662 °F), the element acts as a catalyst for NO2/NOx to form NO molecules for detection by infrared light.
-Molybdenum anodes replace tungsten in certain low voltage X-ray sources for specialized uses such as mammography.
-The radioactive isotope molybdenum-99 is used to generate technetium-99m, used for medical imaging.
The isotope is handled and stored as the molybdate.

-Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is used as a solid lubricant and a high-pressure high-temperature (HPHT) anti-wear agent. 
It forms strong films on metallic surfaces and is a common additive to HPHT greases — in the event of a catastrophic grease failure, a thin layer of molybdenum prevents contact of the lubricated parts.
-Molybdenum has semiconducting properties with distinct advantages over traditional silicon or graphene in electronics applications. 

-MoS2 is also used as a catalyst in hydrocracking of petroleum fractions containing nitrogen, sulfur and oxygen.
-Molybdenum disilicide (MoSi2) is an electrically conducting ceramic with primary use in heating elements operating at temperatures above 1500 °C in air.
-Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3) is used as an adhesive between enamels and metals.
-Lead molybdate (wulfenite) co-precipitated with lead chromate and lead sulfate is a bright-orange pigment used with ceramics and plastics.

-The molybdenum-based mixed oxides are versatile catalysts in the chemical industry. 
Some examples are the catalysts for the oxidation of carbon monoxide,selective oxidation of propylene to acrolein and acrylic acid, the ammoxidation of glycerol and propylene to acrylonitrile. 
Suitable catalysts and process for the direct selective oxidation of propane to acrylic acid are being researched.

-Molybdenum carbides, nitride and phosphides can be used for hydrotreatment of rapeseed oil.
-Ammonium heptamolybdate is used in biological staining.
-Molybdenum coated soda lime glass is used in CIGS (copper indium gallium selenide) solar cells, called CIGS solar cells.
-Phosphomolybdic acid is a stain used in thin-layer chromatography.

-Molybdenum has a very high melting point so Molybdenum is produced and sold as a grey powder.
Many molybdenum items are formed by compressing the powder at a very high pressure.
-Molybdenum disulfide is used as a lubricant additive. 
Other uses for molybdenum include catalysts for the petroleum industry, inks for circuit boards, pigments and electrodes.

-Most molybdenum is used to make alloys. 
Molybdenum is used in steel alloys to increase strength, hardness, electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion and wear. 
These ‘moly steel’ alloys are used in parts of engines. 
Other alloys are used in heating elements, drills and saw blades.

-Molybdenum is an essential trace mineral. 
Molybdenum is found in foods such as milk, cheese, cereal grains, legumes, nuts, leafy vegetables, and organ meats.
-Molybdenum is most commonly used for molybdenum deficiency. 
Molybdenum is also used for cancer of the esophagus, other types of cancer, Wilson disease, and other conditions.

-Most commercial molybdenum is used in the production of alloys, where Molybdenum is added to increase hardness, strength, electrical conductivity and resistance to wear and corrosion. 
-Small amounts of molybdenum can be found in a wide variety of products: missiles, engine parts, drills, saw blades, electric heater filaments, lubricant additives, ink for circuit boards and protective coatings in boilers. 

-Molybdenum is also used as a catalyst in the petroleum industry. 
Molybdenum is produced and sold as a gray powder, and many of Molybdenum's products are formed by compressing the powder under extremely high pressure, according to the Royal Society of Chemistry. 

-Due to Molybdenum's high melting point, molybdenum performs incredibly well under very high temperatures. 
Molybdenum is particularly useful in products that need to stay lubricated under these extreme temperatures. 
So in cases where some lubricants and oils might decompose or catch on fire, lubricants with molybdenum sulfides can handle the heat and still keep things moving along.

-Molybdenum is an essential trace element in plants; in legumes as a catalyst Molybdenum assists bacteria in fixing nitrogen. Molybdenum trioxide and sodium molybdate (Na2MoO4) have been used as micronutrients.
-Molybdenum is a valuable alloying agent, as Molybdenum contributes to the hardenability and toughness of quenched and tempered steels. 
Molybdenum also improves the strength of steel at high temperatures. 
Molybdenum is used in alloys, electrodes and catalysts. 
The Second World War German artillery piece called "Big Bertha" contains molybdenum as an essential component of Molybdenum's steel.

-Molybdenum is used in certain nickel-based alloys, such as the "Hastelloys(R)" which are heat-resistant and corrosion-resistant to chemical solutions. 
Molybdenum oxidizes at elevated temperatures.  
-Molybdenum is also used in nuclear energy applications and for missile and aircraft parts. 
Molybdenum is valuable as a catalyst in the refining of petroleum.

-Molybdenum has found applications as a filament material in electronic and electrical applications. 
-Molybdenum is an essential trace element in plant nutrition. 
Some lands are barren for lack of this element in the soil.
-Molybdenum sulfide is useful as a lubricant, especially at high temperatures where oils would decompose.

-Almost all ultra-high strength steels with minimum yield points up to 300,000 psi(lb/in.2) contain molybdenum in amounts from 0.25 to 8%.
-Molybdenum powders are used in circuit inks for circuit boards, and in microwaves devices and heat sinks for solid-state devices.
-Molybdenum has found recent application as electrodes for electrically heated glass furnaces and foreheaths.

-Like graphite, molybdenite can be used to blacken a surface or as a solid lubricant. 
-Molybdenum is central to life on our beautiful planet. 
You'll find tiny amounts of Molybdenum in everything from the filaments in electric heaters to protective coatings in boilers. 
-Molybdenum's strong performance at high temperatures means that Molybdenum has a range of commercial applications. 
For instance, molybdenum is considered an effective way of making steel harder and increasing Molybdenum's corrosion resistance. 

-Not only is Molybdenum also very useful as a cold lubricant in engines such as those in motorcycles, but Molybdenum is found in the enzymes in our body, too. 
Molybdenum-containing enzymes process foods such as cheese, wine and pickles. 
-Molybdenum serves primarily as an alloying agent in steel. 
When combined with nickel, however, Molybdenum forms heat- and corrosion-resistant materials used in the chemical industry.

-Yet our bodies don’t need much of Molybdenum. 
Humans can get by perfectly well with just one-third of gram for our whole life. 
Nonetheless, it is truly essential. 
-Molybdenum is the 58th most abundant element but is spread fairly evenly in the Earth’s crust. 
Moybdenum is mostly sourced as byproduct of copper mining.

-Molybdenum catalysts help reduce the average waste in the processes. 
This results in a drop in crude oil consumption, while the needs of society are still met.
-Molybdenum carboxylates can be included in the production of propylene oxide, which is a key base chemical in a variety of substances (e.g. polyols for polyurethane products such as insulation boards for housing).

-Most commercial molybdenum is used in the production of alloys, where Molybdenum is added to increase hardness, strength, electrical conductivity and resistance to wear and corrosion. 
Small amounts of molybdenum can be found in a wide variety of products, including engine parts, drills, saw blades, electric heater filaments, lubricant additives, circuit board ink and protective coatings in boilers. 

-Molybdenum is also used as a catalyst in the petroleum industry. 
Molybdenum is produced and sold as a gray powder, and many of Molybdenum's products are formed by compressing the powder under extremely high pressure. 
Due to Molybdenum's high melting point, molybdenum performs incredibly well at very high temperatures. 
Molybdenum is particularly useful in products that need to stay lubricated at such extreme temperatures. 
So in cases where some lubricants and oils might decompose or catch fire, those containing molybdenum sulfides can deal with the heat and still keep things running smoothly. 

-In alloy, steel molybdenum acts as a hardening agent and also improves the properties of the alloy at high temperatures; such alloys are used in making high-speed cutting tools, aircraft parts, and forged automobile parts. 
-Molybdenum metal in the form of thin sheets or wire is used in X-ray tubes, electronic tubes, and electric furnaces because Molybdenum can withstand high temperatures. 

-Molybdenum was used in early incandescent light bulbs. 
-Because Molybdenum retains Molybdenum's strength and structure at very high temperatures, Molybdenum has found use in certain critical rocket and missile parts.
-Useful compounds of molybdenum include molybdenum disulfide, used as a lubricant; ammonium molybdate, used in chemical analysis for phosphates; and lead molybdate, used as a pigment in ceramic glazes. 

-Molybdenum was recognized as a distinct element in 1778 by K. W. Scheele; Molybdenum's ore had earlier been confused with lead ore, hence Molybdenum's name. 
Molybdenum was isolated by P. J. Hjelm in 1782.

-Molybdenum’s ability to withstand extreme temperatures without significant thermal expansion or softening makes Molybdenum useful in applications involving intense heat, such as:
*lighting filaments
*aircraft parts
*electrical contacts
*industrial motors
*nuclear energy applications

-Molybdenum has a high melting point and is used to make the electrodes of electrically heated glass furnaces.
-Some electrical filaments are also made from molybdenum. 
-Molybdenum is used to make some missile and aircraft parts and is used in the nuclear power industry. 
-Molybdenum is also used as a catalyst in the refining of petroleum.

-The versatility of molybdenum in enhancing a variety of alloy properties has ensured Molybdenum a significant role in contemporary industrial technology, which increasingly requires materials that are serviceable under high stress, expanded temperature ranges, and highly corrosive environments.   
-Moreover, molybdenum finds significant usage as a refractory metal in numerous chemical applications, including catalysts, lubricants, and pigments.   
-Few of molybdenum's uses have acceptable substitutes.

-Molybdenum is primarily used as an alloying agent in steel. 
When added to steel in concentrations between 0.25% and 8%, molybdenum forms ultra-high strength steels that can withstand pressures up to 300,000 pounds per square inch. 
Molybdenum also improves the strength of steel at high temperatures. 
When alloyed with nickel, molybdenum forms heat and corrosion resistant materials used in the chemical industry.

-Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2), one of molybdenum's compounds, is used as a high temperature lubricant. 
-Molybdenum trioxide (MoO3), another molybdenum compound, is used to adhere enamels to metals. 
Other molybdenum compounds include: molybdic acid (H2MoO4), molybdenum hexafluoride (MoF6) and molybdenum phosphide (MoP2).

-There are two types of uses for molybdenum: primary and end. 
Within primary uses, molybdenum is employed in the manufacture of chemical and steel products -structural and stainless steel- as well as pure molybdenum elements. 
Molybdenum end uses include finished products containing different percentages of molybdenum, which products are then used to manufacture elements for the oil, chemical, automotive and aeronautic industries, among others.

-Molybdenum properties are key to improve the durability and resistance of molybdenum byproducts, as well as other features transmitted to said byproducts. 
For instance, in when used to produce stainless steel, molybdenum multiplies the stainless properties of chrome, especially in products or constructions exposed to high humidity, chlorine, or salt. 

Stainless steel containing molybdenum increases the useful life of constructions and reduces the repair costs caused by corrosion, cracks or other defects.
Molybdenum is also used in other kinds of structural steel to improve the hardness, resistance to high temperatures and weldability of the pieces containing it. 
These products are used in the mining industry machinery given the hardness and abrasive characteristics of the land in which excavations take place and to process different minerals.

-Molybdenum uses are even wider; it can be applied to the manufacture of lighting devices, electronic devices, lubricants, pigments, and other products; besides, new alloys containing molybdenum and rhenium are being developed to manufacture prostheses and implants for the healthcare industry.
-Molybdenum is even used as a fertilizer for some plants like cauliflower which is known to have Molybdenum deficiency.
-Molybdenum is used as a catalyst for the petroleum industry.

-Molybdenum (Mo) is a trace element found in the soil and is required for the synthesis and activity of the enzyme nitrate reductase. 
Molybdenum is vital for the process of symbiotic nitrogen (N) fixation by Rhizobia bacteria in legume root modules.
-Molybdenum is one of the greatest alloying agents as Molybdenum improves the strength of steel at high temperatures and is applied for use in engines.

-Molybdenum is often used as an additive for steel materials. 
Using Molybdenum's characteristics – high melting point, excellent mechanical features, relatively easy workability compared to tungsten, etc. 
Molybdenum is an Indispensable metal in various applications: ribbon and wire in the field of lighting; and semiconductor substrates, glass melting electrodes, heaters and reflectors in high-temperature furnaces, and sputtering targets as wiring materials for solar cells and flat panels in the field of power electronics.

-Molybdenum electrodes are used for welding processes, e.g. in resistance welding, especially when materials such as copper, bronze or brass are to be welded.
-TZM (titanium-zirconium-molybdenum) is made from molybdenum by adding small amounts of small carbides. 
TZM is used with high mechanical loads combined with high current densities. 
Compared to pure molybdenum, TZM is stronger and has a higher recrystallization temperature and a higher creep resistance. 
In welding technology, TZM is used specifically like molybdenum and tungsten as an electrode material for welding non-ferrous metals.

-Molybdenum-bearing stainless steels are used in applications where performance is paramount and cost considerations are secondary, such as power plant condensers, offshore piping and nuclear power plants. 
Molybdenum is also used as an alloy material for manufacturing vessels used in the food, chemical and pharmaceutical industries, due to the low toxicity of its compounds — unlike other heavy metals.

-Molybdenum is also used in lubricants, pigments, chemicals and many other applications, but the dominant nonmetallurgical use is in catalysts. 
LCD computer and television screens have a very thin layer of molybdenum on the glass as a base on which transistors and circuit wires are laid. 
Because molybdenum easily bonds to glass and conducts electricity and heat efficiently, Molybdenum improves device performance.

-As an alloying agent to provide hardness and toughness to quenched/tempered steels, and to improve the strength of steels at high temperatures
-As electrodes for electrically heated glass furnaces and forehearths
-In nuclear energy applications
-As missile and aircraft parts requiring high temperature resistance
-As a catalyst in petroleum refining

-As a filament material in electronic/electrical applications
-Flame- and corrosion-resistant coatings for other metals
-As a support member in radio and light bulbs
-In arc resistant electric contacts
-In thermocouple sheaths
-Molybdenum sulfide and selenites - as a high temperature lubricant in favor to petroleum based oils, due to Molybdenum's superior high temperature resistance.

-Sodium molybdate (anhydrous form) - as a dry powdered fertilizer
-Molybdenum (chemical symbol Mo, atomic number 42) is a silvery white, soft metal. 
-Molybdenum has one of the highest melting points of all pure elements. 
-Molybdenum is used mainly in alloys, especially to make high-strength and high-temperature steels.
-Molybdenum is also a catalyst in the petroleum industry. 
-Molybdenum disulfide is a good lubricant, and molybdenum pigments are used in paints, inks, plastics, and rubber compounds. 

-Molybdenite, also known as molybdena, is a soft black mineral that was once used to make pencils. 
Molybdenum was often confused for graphite and Molybdenum was thought to contain lead. 
Molybdenum is now known to be molybdenum disulfide (MoS2).

-Lubricants:
Molybdenum is combined with sulfur to form molybdenum disulfide, which helps lubricate two stroke engines, bicycle coaster brakes, bullets, ski waxes and more.
Molybdenum is also used in greases for ball and roller bearings in the manufacturing, mining and transportation industries.
Molybdenum disulfide can resist heat and pressure because Molybdenum is of geothermal origin. 
Oil-soluble molybdenum-sulfur compounds thiophosphate and thiocarbamate protect engines against wear, oxidation and corrosion.

-Pigments:
Molybdenum is also used in paints and dyes. 
Zinc molybdate is used in paint primers to inhibit corrosion and stabilize color; for instance, it is used to paint the metal surfaces of boats.
Molybdate orange pigment is made using lead, lead chromate, lead molybdate and lead sulfate. 
The paint withstands fading in light and weathering over time. 
Aside from that, molybdenum oranges are used in paints, inks, plastic and rubber products and ceramics.

-Fertilizer:
Molybdenum is an essential component of nitrogenase, which is found in nitrogen-fixing bacteria that make nitrogen from the air available to plants. 
Sodium molybdate is a white crystalline powder used as a fertilizer for plants such as cauliflower and beans to increase crop yields.

-Catalysts:
Molybdenum uses can also be chemical. 
About 14 percent of molybdenum is used in the chemical industry for catalysts and lubricants. 
For example, Molybdenum is used as a catalyst in petroleum refineries to help remove sulfur from natural gas and refined petroleum products. 

The process, known as hydrodesulfurization, involves heat and pressure plus a molybdenum oxide catalyst with an alumina support and cobalt.
Occasionally nickel and molybdenum are used instead of cobalt to treat more difficult feedstock. 
Low-sulfur fuels are cleaner burning, and many countries, including Canada and the US, require vehicles to use ultra-low-sulfur diesel fuel for road vehicles. 
Molybdenum also acts as a catalyst in polymer and plastic production.

-Alloys:
Structural steel accounts for 35 percent of molybdenum use. 
Molybdenum improves the strength of steel at high temperatures, and can allow steel to withstand pressures of up to 300,000 pounds per square inch. 
Molybdenum also helps with corrosion resistance, which is helpful for steel used in pipelines or marine environments.

Another 25 percent of molybdenum is used in stainless steel alloys for pharmaceutical and chemical mills, as well as tanker trucks. Molybdenum is also alloyed with steel to produce drills, saws, jet engines and power-generation turbines. 
Chrome and molybdenum alloy steel sheets are used in mufflers and other automotive parts.

Additionally, molybdenum is alloyed with cast iron to produce cylinder heads, motor blocks and exhaust manifolds, which allow vehicle engines to run hotter and thereby reduce carbon emissions. 
Another use is in milling and crushing equipment.

-High-temperature applications including furnace parts, lighting components, and electrical contacts.
-Commonly added to high strength steel alloys.
-Used in the production of molten zinc

-Applications of Molybdenum Rod, Sheet, Plate:
*In the missile industry, molybdenum is used for: nose cones, high-temperature structural parts, nozzles, leading edges of control surfaces, support vanes, re-entry cones, and heat radiation shields.
*In electronics, molybdenum is used for: cathodes, magnetron end hats, x-ray tube components, filaments, and glass-to-metal seals.
*In high-temperature applications, molybdenum is used for: furnace windings, structural furnace members, and containers for components exposed to high temperatures.

-Applications of Molybdenum Precision Cut Wire:
Molybdenum wire is widely used to construct power tube grids and support structures requiring high-temperature strength, low vapor pressure, and low thermal expansion. 
Molybdenum wire (and rod) is also used in high-temperature vacuum and hydrogen atmosphere furnaces to form resistance heating elements. 
Molybdenum wire may also be used as a heat sink and support for tungsten lamp filaments in lighting applications.

-Molybdenum is an important material for the chemical and lubricant industries. 
“Moly” has uses as catalysts, paint pigments, corrosion inhibitors, smoke and flame retardants, dry lubricants, on space vehicles and is resistant to high loads and temperatures. 
As a pure metal, molybdenum is used as filament in light bulbs, metal-working dies and furnace parts.  
Molybdenum is alloyed with steel making Molybdenum stronger and more highly resistant to heat. 
The iron and steel industries account for more than 75% of molybdenum consumption.

OCCURRENCE and PRODUCTION of MOLYBDENUM:
Molybdenum is the 54th most abundant element in the Earth's crust with an average of 1.5 parts per million and the 25th most abundant element in its oceans, with an average of 10 parts per billion; Molybdenum is the 42nd most abundant element in the Universe. 
The Russian Luna 24 mission discovered a molybdenum-bearing grain (1 × 0.6 µm) in a pyroxene fragment taken from Mare Crisium on the Moon.

The comparative rarity of molybdenum in the Earth's crust is offset by Molybdenum's concentration in a number of water-insoluble ores, often combined with sulfur in the same way as copper, with which Molybdenum is often found. 
Though molybdenum is found in such minerals as wulfenite (PbMoO4) and powellite (CaMoO4), the main commercial source is molybdenite (MoS2). 
Molybdenum is mined as a principal ore and is also recovered as a byproduct of copper and tungsten mining.

The world's production of molybdenum was 250,000 tonnes in 2011, the largest producers being China (94,000 t), the United States (64,000 t), Chile (38,000 t), Peru (18,000 t) and Mexico (12,000 t). 
The total reserves are estimated at 10 million tonnes, and are mostly concentrated in China (4.3 Mt), the US (2.7 Mt) and Chile (1.2 Mt). 
By continent, 93% of world molybdenum production is about evenly shared between North America, South America (mainly in Chile), and China. 
Europe and the rest of Asia (mostly Armenia, Russia, Iran and Mongolia) produce the remainder.

In molybdenite processing, the ore is first roasted in air at a temperature of 700 °C (1,292 °F). 
The process gives gaseous sulfur dioxide and the molybdenum(VI) oxide:
2 MoS2 + 7 O2 → 2 MoO3 + 4 SO2
The oxidized ore is then usually extracted with aqueous ammonia to give ammonium molybdate:
MoO3 + 2 NH3 + H2O → (NH4)2(MoO4)

Copper, an impurity in molybdenite, is less soluble in ammonia. 
To completely remove it from the solution, it is precipitated with hydrogen sulfide. 
Ammonium molybdate converts to ammonium dimolybdate, which is isolated as a solid. 
Heating this solid gives molybdenum trioxide:
(NH4)2Mo2O7 → 2 MoO3 + 2 NH3 + H2O

Crude trioxide can be further purified by sublimation at 1,100 °C (2,010 °F).
Metallic molybdenum is produced by reduction of the oxide with hydrogen:
MoO3 + 3 H2 → Mo + 3 H2O

The molybdenum for steel production is reduced by the aluminothermic reaction with addition of iron to produce ferromolybdenum. 
A common form of ferromolybdenum contains 60% molybdenum.
Molybdenum had a value of approximately $30,000 per tonne as of August 2009. 
Molybdenum maintained a price at or near $10,000 per tonne from 1997 through 2003, and reached a peak of $103,000 per tonne in June 2005. 
In 2008, the London Metal Exchange announced that molybdenum would be traded as a commodity.

MINING of MOLYBDENUM:
Historically, the Knaben mine in southern Norway, opened in 1885, was the first dedicated molybdenum mine. 
It was closed in 1973 but was reopened in 2007 and now produces 100,000 kilograms (98 long tons; 110 short tons) of molybdenum disulfide per year. 
Large mines in Colorado (such as the Henderson mine and the Climax mine) and in British Columbia yield molybdenite as their primary product, while many porphyry copper deposits such as the Bingham Canyon Mine in Utah and the Chuquicamata mine in northern Chile produce molybdenum as a byproduct of copper mining.

ISOTOPES of MOLYBDENUM:
There are 35 known isotopes of molybdenum, ranging in atomic mass from 83 to 117, as well as four metastable nuclear isomers. Seven isotopes occur naturally, with atomic masses of 92, 94, 95, 96, 97, 98, and 100. 
Of these naturally occurring isotopes, only molybdenum-100 is unstable.

Molybdenum-98 is the most abundant isotope, comprising 24.14% of all molybdenum. 
Molybdenum-100 has a half-life of about 1019 y and undergoes double beta decay into ruthenium-100. 
All unstable isotopes of molybdenum decay into isotopes of niobium, technetium, and ruthenium. 
Of the synthetic radioisotopes, the most stable is 93Mo, with a half-life of 4,000 years.

The most common isotopic molybdenum application involves molybdenum-99, which is a fission product. 
Molybdenum is a parent radioisotope to the short-lived gamma-emitting daughter radioisotope technetium-99m, a nuclear isomer used in various imaging applications in medicine. 

PHYSICAL PROPERTIES of MOLYBDENUM:
In molybdenum's pure form, molybdenum is a silvery-grey metal with a Mohs hardness of 5.5 and a standard atomic weight of 95.95 g/mol. 
Molybdenum has a melting point of 2,623 °C (4,753 °F); of the naturally occurring elements, only tantalum, osmium, rhenium, tungsten, and carbon have higher melting points.
Molybdenum has one of the lowest coefficients of thermal expansion among commercially used metals.

CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of MOLYBDENUM:
Molybdenum is a transition metal with an electronegativity of 2.16 on the Pauling scale. 
Molybdenum does not visibly react with oxygen or water at room temperature.
Weak oxidation of molybdenum starts at 300 °C (572 °F); bulk oxidation occurs at temperatures above 600 °C, resulting in molybdenum trioxide. 
Like many heavier transition metals, molybdenum shows little inclination to form a cation in aqueous solution, although the Mo3+ cation is known under carefully controlled conditions.

MOLYBDENUM COMPOUNDS:
Molybdenum forms chemical compounds in oxidation states from -II to +VI. 
Higher oxidation states are more relevant to its terrestrial occurrence and its biological roles, mid-level oxidation states are often associated with metal clusters, and very low oxidation states are typically associated with organomolybdenum compounds. 
Mo and W chemistry shows strong similarities. 

The relative rarity of molybdenum(III), for example, contrasts with the pervasiveness of the chromium(III) compounds. 
The highest oxidation state is seen in molybdenum(VI) oxide (MoO3), whereas the normal sulfur compound is molybdenum disulfide MoS2.
From the perspective of commerce, the most important compounds are molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) and molybdenum trioxide (MoO3). 
The black disulfide is the main mineral. 
It is roasted in air to give the trioxide:
2 MoS2 + 7 O2 → 2 MoO3 + 4 SO2

The trioxide, which is volatile at high temperatures, is the precursor to virtually all other Mo compounds as well as alloys. Molybdenum has several oxidation states, the most stable being +4 and +6.
Molybdenum(VI) oxide is soluble in strong alkaline water, forming molybdates (MoO42−). 
Molybdates are weaker oxidants than chromates. 

They tend to form structurally complex oxyanions by condensation at lower pH values, such as [Mo7O24]6− and [Mo8O26]4−. Polymolybdates can incorporate other ions, forming polyoxometalates. 
The dark-blue phosphorus-containing heteropolymolybdate P[Mo12O40]3− is used for the spectroscopic detection of phosphorus. The broad range of oxidation states of molybdenum is reflected in various molybdenum chlorides:

Molybdenum(II) chloride MoCl2, which exists as the hexamer Mo6Cl12 and the related dianion [Mo6Cl14]2-.
Molybdenum(III) chloride MoCl3, a dark red solid, which converts to the anion trianionic complex [MoCl6]3-.
Molybdenum(IV) chloride MoCl4, a black solid, which adopts a polymeric structure.
Molybdenum(V) chloride MoCl5 dark green solid, which adopts a dimeric structure.
Molybdenum(VI) chloride MoCl6 is a black solid, which is monomeric and slowly decomposes to MoCl5 and Cl2 at room temperature.

Like chromium and some other transition metals, molybdenum forms quadruple bonds, such as in Mo2(CH3COO)4 and [Mo2Cl8]4−, which also has a quadruple bond. 
The Lewis acid properties of the butyrate and perfluorobutyrate dimers, Mo2(O2CR)4 and Rh2(O2CR) 4, have been reported.
The oxidation state 0 is possible with carbon monoxide as ligand, such as in molybdenum hexacarbonyl, Mo(CO)6.

HISTORY of MOLYBDENUM:
Molybdenite—the principal ore from which molybdenum is now extracted—was previously known as molybdena. 
Molybdena was confused with and often utilized as though it were graphite. 
Like graphite, molybdenite can be used to blacken a surface or as a solid lubricant. 
Even when molybdena was distinguishable from graphite, it was still confused with the common lead ore PbS (now called galena); the name comes from Ancient Greek Μόλυβδος molybdos, meaning lead. (The Greek word itself has been proposed as a loanword from Anatolian Luvian and Lydian languages).

Although (reportedly) molybdenum was deliberately alloyed with steel in one 14th-century Japanese sword (mfd. ca. 1330), that art was never employed widely and was later lost. 
In the West in 1754, Bengt Andersson Qvist examined a sample of molybdenite and determined that it did not contain lead and thus was not galena.

By 1778 Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele stated firmly that molybdena was (indeed) neither galena nor graphite. 
Instead, Scheele correctly proposed that molybdena was an ore of a distinct new element, named molybdenum for the mineral in which it resided, and from which it might be isolated. 
Peter Jacob Hjelm successfully isolated molybdenum using carbon and linseed oil in 1781.

For the next century, molybdenum had no industrial use. 
It was relatively scarce, the pure metal was difficult to extract, and the necessary techniques of metallurgy were immature.
Early molybdenum steel alloys showed great promise of increased hardness, but efforts to manufacture the alloys on a large scale were hampered with inconsistent results, a tendency toward brittleness, and recrystallization. 

In 1906, William D. Coolidge filed a patent for rendering molybdenum ductile, leading to applications as a heating element for high-temperature furnaces and as a support for tungsten-filament light bulbs; oxide formation and degradation require that molybdenum be physically sealed or held in an inert gas. 
In 1913, Frank E. 
Elmore developed a froth flotation process to recover molybdenite from ores; flotation remains the primary isolation process.

During World War I, demand for molybdenum spiked; molybdenum was used both in armor plating and as a substitute for tungsten in high-speed steels. 
Some British tanks were protected by 75 mm (3 in) manganese steel plating, but this proved to be ineffective. 
The manganese steel plates were replaced with much lighter 25 mm (1.0 in) molybdenum steel plates allowing for higher speed, greater maneuverability, and better protection. 

The Germans also used molybdenum-doped steel for heavy artillery, like in the super-heavy howitzer Big Bertha, because traditional steel melts at the temperatures produced by the propellant of the one ton shell. 
After the war, demand plummeted until metallurgical advances allowed extensive development of peacetime applications.
In World War II, molybdenum again saw strategic importance as a substitute for tungsten in steel alloys.

The soft black mineral molybdenite was often mistaken for graphite or lead ore until 1778, when an analysis by German chemist Carl Scheele revealed that it was neither one of these substances.
It proved to be very difficult to identify. Since no one had been able to reduce it to a metal, scientists continued to assume that molybdenite contained a new element.

Eventually, the element was identified by the Swedish chemist Peter Jacob Hjelm. 
He ground molybdic acid with carbon in linseed oil to form a paste. 
The paste allowed close contact between the carbon and the molybdenite. 
Hjelm then heated the mixture in a closed crucible to produce the metal, which he named molybdenum. 
The new element was announced in 1781.

In ancient times a number of substances were collectively known by the Greek word ‘molybdos,’ meaning lead-like. 
Molybdenite (MoS2), the most abundant molybdenum-containing mineral, was in this class along with lead, galena, graphite and others. 
Though they did not distinguish between these various compounds, the ancients certainly used molybdenite. 
One example of their insight, a 14th century Japanese sword, has been found to contain molybdenum as an alloying element.

In 1768, the Swedish scientist Carl Wilhelm Scheele determined that molybdenite was a sulfide compound of an as-yet unidentified element, by decomposing it in hot nitric acid and heating the product in air to yield a white oxide powder. 
In 1782, at Scheele's suggestion, Peter Jacob Hjelm chemically reduced the oxide with carbon, obtaining a dark metal powder that he named 'molybdenum.'

Molybdenum remained mainly a laboratory curiosity until late in the 19th century, when technology for the extraction of commercial quantities became practical. 
Experiments with steel demonstrated that molybdenum could effectively replace tungsten in many steel alloys. 
This change brought weight benefits, since the atomic weight of tungsten is nearly twice that of molybdenum. 
In 1891, the French company Schneider & Co. first used molybdenum as an alloying element in armour plate steel.

Demand for alloy steels during World War I caused tungsten demand to soar, severely straining its supply. 
The tungsten shortage accelerated molybdenum substitution in many hard and impact-resistant tungsten steels. 
This increase in molybdenum demand spurred an intensive search for new sources of supply, culminating with the development of the massive Climax deposit in Colorado, USA and its startup in 1918.

After the war, reductions in alloy steel demand triggered intense research efforts to develop new civilian applications for molybdenum, and a number of new low-alloy molybdenum automotive steels were soon tested and accepted. 
In the 1930s, researchers determined the proper temperature ranges to forge and heat-treat molybdenum-bearing high-speed steels, a breakthrough that opened large new markets to molybdenum. 
Researchers eventually developed a full understanding of how molybdenum imparts its many cost-effective benefits as an alloying element to steels and other systems.

By the end of the 1930s, molybdenum was a widely accepted technical material. 
The conclusion of World War II in 1945 once again brought increased research investment to develop new civilian applications, and the post-war reconstruction of the world provided additional markets for molybdenum-containing structural steels. 
Steels and cast iron still comprise the single biggest market segment, but molybdenum has also proven to be invaluable in superalloys, nickel base alloys, lubricants, chemicals, electronics and many other applications.

PHYSICAL and CHEMICAL PROPERTIES of MOLYBDENUM:
Phase at STP: solid
Melting point: 2896 K ​(2623 °C, ​4753 °F)
Boiling point: 4912 K ​(4639 °C, ​8382 °F)
Density (near r.t.): 10.28 g/cm3
when liquid (at m.p.): 9.33 g/cm3
Heat of fusion: 37.48 kJ/mol
Heat of vaporization: 598 kJ/mol

Molar heat capacity: 24.06 J/(mol·K)
Atomic number (Z): 42
Group: group 6
Period: period 5
Block: d-block
Electron configuration: [Kr] 4d5 5s1
Electrons per shell: 2, 8, 18, 13, 1
Oxidation states: −4, −2, −1, 0, +1,[2] +2, +3, +4, +5, +6 (a strongly acidic oxide)

Electronegativity: Pauling scale: 2.16
Ionization energies:    
1st: 684.3 kJ/mol
2nd: 1560 kJ/mol
3rd: 2618 kJ/mol
Atomic radius:
Empirical: 139 pm
Covalent radius    154±5 pm
Speed of sound thin rod: 5400 m/s (at r.t.)

Thermal expansion: 4.8 µm/(m⋅K) (at 25 °C)
Thermal conductivity: 138 W/(m⋅K)
Thermal diffusivity: 54.3 mm2/s (at 300 K)
Electrical resistivity: 53.4 nΩ⋅m (at 20 °C)
Magnetic ordering: paramagnetic
Molar magnetic susceptibility: +89.0×10−6 cm3/mol (298 K)
Young's modulus: 329 GPa
Shear modulus: 126 GPa
Bulk modulus: 230 GPa
Poisson ratio: 0.31

Mohs hardness: 5.5
Vickers hardness: 1400–2740 MPa
Brinell hardness: 1370–2500 MPa
Molecular Weight: 95.94
Physical state: powder
Color: gray, black, silver
Odor: odorless
Melting point/freezing point:
Melting point/range: 2.617 °C - lit.
Initial boiling point and boiling range: 4.612 °C - lit.

Flammability (solid, gas): The product is not flammable. 
Upper/lower flammability or explosive limits: No data available
Flash point: Not applicable
Autoignition temperature: No data available
Decomposition temperature: No data available
pH: No data available
Viscosity:
Viscosity, kinematic: No data available
Viscosity, dynamic: No data available
Water solubility: insoluble

Partition coefficient: n-octanol/water: Not applicable for inorganic substances
Vapor pressure: 1 hPa at 3.102 °C
Density: 10,3 g/mL at 25 °C - lit.
Relative density: No data available
Relative vapor density: No data available
Particle characteristics: No data available
Explosive properties: No data available
Oxidizing properties: none
Other safety information: No data available

Atomic number (number of protons in the nucleus): 42
Atomic symbol (on the periodic table of the elements): Mo
Atomic weight (average mass of the atom): 95.96
Density: 10.2 grams per cubic centimeter
Phase at room temperature: Solid
Melting point: 4,753 degrees Fahrenheit (2,623 degrees Celsius)
Boiling point: 8,382 degrees F (4,639 degrees C)
Number of isotopes (atoms of the same element with a different number of neutrons): 24 whose half-lives are known with mass numbers from 86 to 110.
Most common isotopes: Mo-98 (24.1 percent); Mo-96 (16.7 percent); Mo-95 (15.9 percent); Mo-92 (14.8 percent); Mo-97 (9.6 percent); Mo-100 (9.6 percent); Mo-94 (9.2 percent).

FIRST AID MEASURES of MOLYBDENUM:
-Description of first-aid measures:
*If inhaled:
If breathed in, move person into fresh air. 
If not breathing, give artificial respiration.
*In case of skin contact:
Wash off with soap and plenty of water.

*In case of eye contact:
Flush eyes with water as a precaution.
*If swallowed:
Never give anything by mouth to an unconscious person. 
Rinse mouth with water.

-Indication of any immediate medical attention and special treatment needed:
No data available

ACCIDENTAL RELEASE MEASURES of MOLYBDENUM:
-Environmental precautions:
No special environmental precautions required.
-Methods and materials for containment and cleaning up:
Sweep up and shovel. 
Keep in suitable, closed containers for disposal.

FIRE FIGHTING MEASURES of MOLYBDENUM:
-Extinguishing media:
*Suitable extinguishing media:
Use water spray, alcohol-resistant foam, dry chemical or carbon dioxide.
-Further information:
No data available

EXPOSURE CONTROLS/PERSONAL PROTECTION of MOLYBDENUM:
-Control parameters:
Ingredients with workplace control parameters:
-Exposure controls:
--Personal protective equipment:

*Skin protection:
Handle with gloves. 
Wash and dry hands.
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0,11 mm
Break through time: 480 min

Splash contact:
Material: Nitrile rubber
Minimum layer thickness: 0,11 mm
Break through time: 480 min

*Respiratory protection:
Respiratory protection is not required. 

-Control of environmental exposure:
No special environmental precautions required

HANDLING and STORAGE of MOLYBDENUM:
-Precautions for safe handling:
*Hygiene measures:
General industrial hygiene practice.

-Conditions for safe storage, including any incompatibilities:
*Storage conditions:
Keep container tightly closed in a dry and well-ventilated place. 
Store in cool place.

STABILITY and REACTIVITY of MOLYBDENUM:
-Reactivity: No data available
-Chemical stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.
-Possibility of hazardous reactions: No data available
-Conditions to avoid: No data available

SYNONYMS:
Molybdenum element