Molybdenum: A Brief Study

Molybdenum is a transition metal in Group 6 of the Periodic Table between chromium and tungsten. Although molybdenum is sometimes described as a 'heavy metal' its properties are very different from those of the typical heavy metals, mercury, thallium and lead. It is much less toxic than these and other heavy metals. Its low toxicity makes molybdenum an attractive substitute for more toxic materials. Molybdenum is the first of the transition metals to have an extensive sulfur chemistry shown, for example, having as its principal ore molybdenum disulfide, MoS2, its binding by sulfur ligands in molybdenum containing enzymes, application of MoS2 as an important industrial catalyst, and formation of many sulfur complexes some of which are used as soluble lubricating oil additives. Molybdenum-based technical chemicals exploit the versatility of molybdenum chemistry in oxidation states. (VI), (V) and (IV). Materials made from molybdates are oxidation catalysts, are photoactive, and semiconducting. Many of the properties of molybdenum provide development opportunities and new commercial applications through the exploitation of its chemistry.