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Molybdenum

.What is Molybdenum

Molybdenum (pronunciation: meh-LIB-deh-nem) is a shiny, silvery element belonging to the family of transition metals and is represented by the chemical symbol Mo [1, 2, 3]

Molybdenum Symbol

. A ductile metal with high corrosion resistance, molybdenum reacts easily with other elements to form compounds [2].

It has seven naturally occurring isotopes, out of which 98Mo is the most abundant comprising about 24.39% of all the molybdenum found on Earth [4]. Of the seven naturally occurring isotopes, 100Mo is not considered stable and has a half-life period of 7.8 X 1018 years [4].

Where is Molybdenum Found

Molybdenite (also known as molybdenum disulfide or MoS2) is the principal mineral ore from which the metal is extracted by oxidation roasting and then reducing the resultant molybdenum oxide [1]. A small amount of molybdenum also occurs as a by-product during the production of copper and tungsten [1]. The top 3 molybdenum reserve holding countries are China, the USA, and Chile while the top 3 producers include China, the USA, and Chile [1].

Molybdenum

History

Origin of its Name: The name of the element is derived from ‘molybdos’, the Greek word for lead [1, 2].

Who discovered it: The Swedish chemist Peter Jacob Hjelm is the discoverer of molybdenum [1].

When and How was it Discovered

The soft, black molybdenite ore is similar to graphite in appearance and was thus incorrectly regarded as a lead ore until it was analyzed by the German-Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele in 1778 [1]. Although he could not identify the substance, his research proved that it was neither graphite nor lead [1].

It was speculated that the mineral ore contained an unknown element but the researchers could not reduce and isolate the metal [1]. They found that the new element could be oxidized and it formed an acid when mixed with water, called molybdic acid (H2MoO4) [1]. In 1781, Peter Jacob Hjelm ground carbon and molybdic acid together with linseed oil and formed a paste [1]. He heated the mixture in a crucible and produced the molybdenum metal [1, 5].

Molybdenum Identification

Atomic number 42 [1]
CAS number 7439-98-7 [1]
Position in the periodic table Group Period Block
  6 [1] 5 [1] d [1]

Location of Molybdenum in the Periodic Table

Properties and Characteristics of Molybdenum

General Properties

Relative atomic mass 95.95 [1]
Atomic mass 95.95 amu [1]
Molar mass 95.96 g/mol [9, 10]

Physical Properties

Color Silvery-white [1, 5]
Melting point/freezing point 2622 °C, 4752 °F [1]
Boiling point 4639 °C, 8382 °F [1]
Density 10.2 g cm-3 [1]
State of matter at room temperature (solid/liquid/gas) Solid [1, 5]
Hardness
– Brinell 1500 MPa [6]
– Mohs 5.5 [6]
– Vickers 1530 MPa [6]
Electrical conductivity 2X107 S/m [6]
Thermal (heat) conductivity 139 W/(m K) [6]
Specific heat 251 J kg-1 K-1 [1]
Bulk modulus 231 GPa [1]
Shear modulus Unknown [1]
Young’s modulus Unknown [1]
Vapor pressure
– Temperature (K) 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 2000 2200 2400
– Pressure (Pa) 1.83X 10-9 4.07X 10-7 3.03X 10-5 1.02X 10-5 1.89X 10-2

Chemical Properties

Oxidation state/Oxidation number −2, −1, +1 +2, +3, +4, +5, +6 [1]
Isotopes Isotope Mass Abundance (%) Half-life Mode of decay
  92Mo 91.907 14.53 > 3 X 1017 y β+-EC
  94Mo 93.905 9.15
  95Mo 94.906 15.8
  96Mo 95.905 16.67
  97Mo 96.906 9.60
  98Mo 97.905 24.39
  100Mo 99.907 9.82 6 X 1020 y β-β-

Atomic Data of Molybdenum (Element 42)

Valence electrons 6 [7]
Quantum numbers
– n 4 [7]
– ℓ 2 [7]
– m 2 [7]
– ms +1/2 [7]
Electron configuration (noble gas configuration) [Kr] 4d55s1 [1]
Atomic structure
– Number of electrons 42 [5]
– Number of neutrons 54 [5]
– Number of protons 42 [5]
Radius of Atom
– Atomic radius 2.17 Å [1]
– Covalent radius 1.46 Å [1]
Electronegativity (Pauling-scale) 2.16 [1]
Electron affinity 72.171 kJ mol-1 [1]
Bonding energy 6.8 eV (656.098 kJ mol-1) [11]
Ionization energy (kJ mol-1) 1st 2nd 3rd 4th 5th 6th 7th 8th
  684.316 1559.2 2617.65 4476.9 5257.49 6640.85 12124.73 13855.3

Molybdenum Electron Configuration (Bohr Model)

What is Molybdenum Used for

Uses in Industry

  • Since it has a high melting point, it is used to produce a gray powder, which is compressed at very high pressure for manufacturing heat tubes, vacuum tubes, and X-ray tubes [1].
  • The element 42 is used in making alloys including steel for increasing its hardness, strength, resistance to corrosion, and electrical conductivity [1, 5].
  • Molybdenum alloys are used in aircraft engines, power generation turbines, and nuclear power plants, as well as in heating elements like saw blades and drills [1, 5].
  • Molybdic oxide, molybdates, and molybdenum disulfide are used in high-performance lubricant formulations [1, 8].
  • Because molybdenum can withstand high temperatures, it is considered the right material for producing glass melting electrodes [5].
  • Used as a catalyst in the petroleum industry, it helps in removing organic sulfur in gas and coal liquefaction processes [1, 5].

Biological Role in Plants, Animals, and Humans

  • Molybdenum is an important component in various enzymes including nitrogenase, allowing nitrogen-fixing bacteria to take up nitrogen from the air, making it available to the plants [1, 5].
  • It is present in plants and animals in trace amounts, helping in synthesizing and utilizing proteins, as well as other metabolic processes [2].
  • It acts as a catalyst in the human body for producing enzymes and breaking down amino acids [2].

Role in Scientific Research

  • Although molybdenum is currently abundant in the ocean, it was much less in the past. Thus, it is a clear indicator of ancient oceanic chemistry and helps researchers estimate the amount of oxygen that might have been present during a certain period [2].

Molybdenum Toxicity

Although acute molybdenum toxicity has not been reported in humans, animal studies have indicated that high levels of element 42 may interfere with the body’s ability to absorb copper and produce copper deficiency [12]. Mining or metal workers regularly exposed to molybdenum dusts and fumes may suffer from headache, fatigue, weakness, tremors, sweating, dizziness, weight loss, joint and muscle pain, and loss of appetite [13]. According to the NIOSH, the IDLH (immediately dangerous to life and health) for molybdenum compounds is at 5000 mg/m3 [14].

Interesting Facts

  • Molybdenum does not react with water or oxygen at room temperatures [5].
  • Its oxide is soluble in alkaline water and forms molybdate salts [5].
  • When it occurs in compounds, it commonly exists in its oxidation states (IV) and (VI) [5].
  • Instead of tungsten, Mo is often used in steel alloys because it has the same metallic effect despite having half the density and atomic weight as tungsten [2].
  • Big Bertha, the 47 ton super-heavy artillery gun used by Germany in World War I and II, had molybdenum as one of the constituent element of its steel [2].
  • The element is graphically represented by a valve wheel, indicating its use in boilers and valves [1].
  • In the US, supplements are prescribed to those who do not get enough molybdenum through their diet [15].

Molybdenum Wire

Price of Molybdenum

The cost of pure molybdenum is about $0.44 per gram [5].

    References

  1. http://www.rsc.org/periodic-table/element/42/molybdenum
  2. https://www.livescience.com/34687-molybdenum.html
  3. https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/ele042.html
  4. https://education.jlab.org/itselemental/iso042.html
  5. https://www.chemicool.com/elements/molybdenum.html
  6. http://periodictable.com/Elements/042/data.html
  7. http://chemistry-reference.com/q_elements.asp?Symbol=Mo
  8. https://www.imoa.info/molybdenum/molybdenum-products.php
  9. https://www.webqc.org/molecular-weight-of-Mo.html
  10. https://webbook.nist.gov/cgi/inchi/InChI%3D1S/Mo
  11. Ods.od.nih.gov
  12. https://www.msdvetmanual.com/toxicology/molybdenum-poisoning/overview-of-molybdenum-poisoning
  13. https://web.archive.org/web/20070919204536/http://rais.ornl.gov/tox/profiles/molybdenum_f_V1.shtml
  14. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/npgd0433.html
  15. https://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2016/10/17/molybdenum.aspx

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