What Are the Key Uses and Benefits of Molybdenum in Chemistry?
Molybdenum is an essential mineral and chemical element. Molybdenum in the periodic table stands at 42nd atomic number. In 1778, Carl Wilhelm Scheele had found this element. The name of the element is derived from the Greek word, “Molybdos”. Molybdos defines lead in the Greek language. You can find this mineral in foods like cereal grains, milk, cheese, legumes, leafy vegetables, nuts, and organ meats.
The color of the Molybdenum is silvery white. It is the pure element with the highest melting point, and it is a hard transition metal. Acids can attack the part slowly. Molybdenum is useful for the protein breakdown in the body, and deficiency of this mineral is uncommon. Well, Molybdenum is used for cancer of the esophagus and Wilson diseases, but no positive evidence is found for the same.
Furthermore, you will be surprised with the information about Molybdenum atomic number and various isotopes ranging from 83 - 117. It has nearly 35 isotopes. Mo and Mo2+4 are the symbols and the chemical formula of mineral Molybdenum, respectively.
(image will be uploaded soon)
(image will be uploaded soon)
Molybdenum In Periodic Table
(image will be uploaded soon)
(image will be uploaded soon)
Molybdenum in Periodic Table and Electronic Configuration
Electronic Configuration of Molybdenum
When you know the basic rules for electron configuration of the element while studying the atomic table, you can find any element’s electron configuration easily. The electron configuration of Molybdenum is not different from that. When you notice the Molybdenum in the periodic table, you will find the atomic number of Molybdenum that is 42
According to rules,
In the first orbit: 2 electrons
In the second orbit: 8 electrons
In the third orbit: 18 electrons
In the fourth orbit: 13 electrons
In the fifth orbit: 1 electron.
Or we can say, 1s2 2s2p6 3s2p6d10 4s2p6d5 5s1 or
Kr
Kr4d55s1
Facts About Molybdenum
It is the corrosion resistance and ductile mineral.
It is an essential micronutrient for our body
It forms many compounds by chemical reaction with other elements easily.
You can not find the free form of this element in nature.
It contains the 1.2 ppm (parts per million) of the earth crust.
Molybdenum disulfide (molybdenite) is the Molybdenum ore and can be found in powellite (calcium molybdate) and wulfenite (lead molybdate).
It can be obtained while tungsten mining or copper mining.
According to RSC (Royal Society Of Chemistry), it is produced 200,000 tons every year worldwide.
From the crust of the earth, it is the 54th common mineral that is found.
A soft and black mineral that is called Molybdenum or Molybdenite was used in pencils in ancient times.
Nitrogenous enzymes are essential enzymes that contain this mineral and are helpful in proper utilization and systemization of protein.
Abundance of Molybdenum
Seawater/p.p.m.: 0.01
Earth's Crust/p.p.m.: 1.5
Atmosphere/p.p.m.: N/A
Sun (Relative to H=1E12): 145
Molybdenum Uses
It has better strength at a higher temperature, and so it is a better alloying agent. In the manufacturing of steel material, this element is used to increase the strength of steel. Furthermore, it is also applicable in the engines’ production.
Deficiency of Molybdenum is uncommon, but doctors advise to have cauliflower in the diet to maintain the level of the mineral in our body. Cauliflower is a source of Molybdenum because fertilizers used for such plants have plenty of Molybdenum minerals.
In the petroleum industry, the Mo mineral is used as a catalyst agent.
Health Effects of Molybdenum
Well, it is said that an excess amount of Molybdenum is toxic and even some of the Molybdenum compounds are highly toxic. Some animal experiments have proved the poisonous nature of Mo and Mo compounds. Workers working in the Soviet Mo-Cu plant had recorded the liver dysfunction health issue. Furthermore, some workers had seen gout signs. People living in Armenia also notice the gout signs because Armenia is a Mo-rich landscape. Some of the health issues were recorded like hands, feet, joints, erythema, articular deformities, and knee pains.
Environmental Effects of Molybdenum
All the species need Mo minerals in an adequate amount like other trace minerals. It would severely affect the intake of large doses or excess amounts of Mo mineral. Fetal deformities can arise because of the toxic effect of excess Molybdenum. Furthermore, fodder should have less than ten ppm of Mo mineral.
Touring with Chrome Molybdenum Bike Frame
Nowadays, touring also has become a part of life. The pandemic has made people mentally stressed, willing to let people wander to the natural heartwarming places. And Chromoly used in the bike frame will be one of the best recommendations to be given in the times near the celebration towards the new year. There are so many reasons behind this. And they are pointed below:
Just like an aluminium frame, when subjected to any wear and tear the chrome-Molybdenum bike frame won’t let you fail. It is because the material property is strong enough to resist them. Especially when it comes to touring, the bikes are vulnerable to major and minor hits. So having one of these along, will safeguard the bike body and also the one who drives it.
The damping nature of the frame helps the one who’s involved in touring much more comfortable. When compared to the usual Al frame, this is a lot smoother. Since the chrome-Molybdenum frames are harsher.
Also, there are spaces where you can carry your bags and pieces of stuff. This is possible by the thin tubes and ease of threading within them.
When in need of repair it is very easy. Since it can be welded more easily. However, this is not the case for Al frames.
Though the bike frames of Chromoly are expensive. It is cheaper when compared to the titanium or Carbon ones.
While praising the benefits of Molybdenum, students must be aware of the harmful side effects as well. Over-concentration leads to toxicity. It has already been reported that a man tried to consume it for about 18 days continuously. And it resulted from him having seizures, hallucinations and other health problems. So while trying to take the benefits out, you must always remember how much dose is the limit.
The extra knowledge students acquire will not only help them in academics but also in real-life while confronting the situation. And Vedantu website and its apps have helped a lot in this case. They have developed a system where the students are learning not just for their academics but also for applying in real life. And hence, this will help them crack future competitive exams too.
FAQs on Molybdenum: Properties, Applications, and Importance
1. What is Molybdenum and what are its basic properties?
Molybdenum is a chemical element with the symbol Mo and atomic number 42. It is a silvery-white, hard, and ductile transition metal. Key properties include one of the highest melting points of all pure elements (2623 °C), excellent thermal conductivity, and a low coefficient of thermal expansion. It belongs to Group 6 of the periodic table and is known for its strength and stability at high temperatures.
2. What are the main industrial applications of Molybdenum?
The primary application of Molybdenum is in metallurgy, particularly as an alloying agent. It is used to create high-strength steel alloys, stainless steels, and superalloys. Other significant uses include:
As a catalyst in the petroleum industry for refining processes.
In the form of Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) as a high-temperature lubricant.
In electronic components like electrodes, heating elements, and supports for light bulb filaments.
As a pigment in paints, inks, and plastics.
3. Why is Molybdenum so important for creating strong steel alloys?
Molybdenum is crucial for steel alloys because it significantly enhances several key mechanical properties. When added to steel, it increases hardenability, strength, toughness, and resistance to corrosion and wear. Unlike some other alloying agents, Molybdenum maintains these properties even at very high temperatures, making 'moly steel' essential for demanding applications like engine parts, construction materials, and high-pressure industrial piping.
4. What is the biological significance of Molybdenum?
Molybdenum is an essential trace element vital for nearly all life forms, including humans and plants. In the body, it acts as a cofactor for several critical enzymes. These enzymes are involved in processing sulfites, breaking down waste products like urates from purines, and metabolising various toxins. In plants, it is crucial for the enzyme nitrogenase, which enables nitrogen fixation—the process of converting atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia, which is essential for plant growth.
5. What are the key chemical properties of Molybdenum?
Molybdenum is a relatively unreactive metal. It does not react with oxygen or water at room temperature but will oxidise at elevated temperatures to form molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃). It is resistant to most non-oxidising acids but can be dissolved by oxidising acids like nitric acid or concentrated sulfuric acid. A key chemical feature is its ability to exhibit a wide range of oxidation states, from -2 to +6, with the +4 and +6 states being the most common and stable in its compounds.
6. How is Molybdenum different from Tungsten?
Molybdenum and Tungsten are both in Group 6 and are refractory metals with high melting points, but they have key differences that determine their applications:
Density: Molybdenum is significantly less dense than Tungsten (10.2 g/cm³ vs 19.3 g/cm³), making it preferable where a high strength-to-weight ratio is needed.
Melting Point: Tungsten has a much higher melting point (3422 °C) compared to Molybdenum (2623 °C), making it suitable for even more extreme temperature applications.
Ductility & Workability: Molybdenum is generally more ductile and easier to machine and work with than Tungsten.
Cost: Molybdenum is typically less expensive than Tungsten, influencing its use in large-scale alloying.
7. What makes Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) a superior lubricant?
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS₂) is an excellent solid lubricant due to its unique lamellar (layered) structure. It consists of layers of molybdenum atoms sandwiched between layers of sulfur atoms. The bonds within these S-Mo-S layers are strong, but the bonds between the separate layers are very weak. This allows the layers to slide past each other with minimal friction, similar to graphite. This property is stable at high temperatures and in vacuum environments where traditional liquid lubricants would decompose or evaporate.
8. Where is Molybdenum found and how is it extracted?
Molybdenum is not found as a free metal in nature. Its primary commercial source is the mineral molybdenite (MoS₂). It is often found in ore deposits alongside copper and is sometimes recovered as a byproduct of copper and tungsten mining. The extraction process typically involves crushing the ore and then using froth flotation to separate the molybdenite. This concentrate is then roasted in air at high temperatures to produce molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃), which is then purified and reduced with hydrogen to produce pure molybdenum metal powder.
