Ammonium molybdate

Chemical properties

Ammonium molybdate is a colorless, white or slightly greenish-yellow powder. It is used in chemical analysis for the determination of phosphorus. From a nitric acid solution it precipitates phosphorus in the form of ammonium phosphomolybdate having the formula (NH4)3PO4-12MoO3 after drying at 110 °C(230°F). Some of the phosphomolybdic acids are used as reagents for the alkaloids and in the analysis and separation of the alkali metals.

The Uses of Ammonium molybdate

Ammonium molybdate has been used to prepare phosphomolybdates. (NH4)2MoO4 was used as an analytical reagent for quantitative analysis of phosphates, silicates, arsenates and lead in their aqueous solutions. At saturated concentration, (NH4)2MoO4 was used to perform cryo-negative staining and as a negative stain in biological electron microscopy. Ammonium molybdate was used in study of crystallisation of cell-free-expressed membrane proteins.

What are the applications of Application

Ammonium molybdate is a reagent used for oxidation of sulfides to sulfonyls.

Definition

ChEBI: Ammonium molybdate is an ammonium salt composed of ammonium and molybdate ions in a 2:1 ratio. It has a role as a poison. It contains a molybdate.

Production Methods

Pure molybdic oxide (99.95% MoO3) is prepared by sublimation of technical oxide or by calcining ammonium molybdate. Metallic molybdenum powder is prepared commercially by hydrogen reduction of either pure molybdic oxide or ammonium molybdate in a two-step process.

General Description

Ammonium molybdate can be prepared by dissolving molybdenum trioxide in ammonia.

Flammability and Explosibility

Not classified

Safety Profile

Poison by ingestion and intraperitoneal routes. Moderately toxic by other routes. An irritant. See also MOLYBDENUM COMPOUNDS. When heated to decomposition it emits toxic fumes of NH3 and NOx.

Potential Exposure

It is used as an analytical reagent, in pigments and in the production of molybdenum metal and ceramics.

Shipping

There are no known UN/DOT restrictions.

Purification Methods

Crystallise the salt from water (2.5mL/g) by partial evaporation in a desiccator. [Sturdivant J Am Chem Soc 59 630 1937, Grüttner & Jauder in Handbook of Preparative Inorganic Chem (Ed. Brauer) Academic Press Vol II p 1711 1965.]

Incompatibilities

Incompatible with oxidizers (chlorates, nitrates, peroxides, permanganates, perchlorates, chlorine, bromine, fluorine, etc.); contact may cause fires or explosions. Keep away from alkaline materials, strong bases, strong acids, oxoacids, epoxides; chemically active metals (such as potassium, sodium, magnesium and zinc) may cause a violent reaction.