Molybdenum (Mo) is a chemical element of great importance to nature, industry and health. A transition metal, molybdenum is also an essential trace mineral in the body. Historically it's often confused with lead (Pb).
Molybdenum derives its name from the Greek word "molybdos," which means lead. Many early chemists believe molybdenite (MoS2), the primary molybdenum ore, is a lead ore.
For centuries, molybdenite is mistaken for graphite, which is discovered in the 17th century and thought at first to be a type of lead. This fallacy persists a few hundred years.
Even in the 20th century schoolchildren are discouraged from gnawing on pencils due to possible "lead poisoning". Pencil "leads" never actually contain any lead. They're a mix of graphite and clay.
Molybdenum is discovered in 1778 by Swedish chemist Carl Wilhelm Scheele, who isolates it from molybdenite. In 1781 Peter Jacob Hjelm isolates metallic molybdenum by electrolysis, sparking scientific interest.
Nonetheless, industrial use of molybdenum doesn't appear until the 19th and 20th centuries. Curiosity about molybdenum is rekindled due to its remarkable properties.
A silvery-white, hard metal, molybdenum has high heat resistance and a melting point of 2,623°C (4,753°F). The melting point makes it ideal for applications such as aerospace and military technologies.
Molybdenum is also known for corrosion and oxidation resistance. In construction of bridges and buildings, it helps maintain structural integrity in storms and other stressors. It's lightweight and mechanically strong.
The element is reluctant to dissolve in most acids and highly resistant to oxidation. A friendly metal, molybdenum easily forms compounds with other elements.
Molybdenum is not abundant in the Earth's crust. It's generally found in ores like molybdenite (MoS2), wulfenite (PbMoO4), and powellite (CaMoO4).
Largest producers of molybdenum globally are China, the United States, Chile and Peru. Mining operations target molybdenum both as a primary product and as a byproduct of copper mining.
Molybdenum is a trace element in soil and water. In the environment and human health, it's important to natural biological processes.
In nature, molybdenum maintains proper enzyme functions in plants, animals and microorganisms. It's a specific component of nitrogenase, an enzyme used by nitrogen-fixing bacteria.
Nitrogen fixation converts atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia for plant growth. Because it's especially prevalent in legumes like beans, these can be planted in crop rotation to improve overall soil health.
In the human body, molybdenum is a trace mineral required in minute amounts for health. It's a cofactor for enzymes catalyzing essential chemical reactions, such as:
Sulfite Oxidase: Detoxifies sulfites from diet or metabolism.
Xanthine Oxidase: Helps metabolize purines into uric acid.
Aldehyde Oxidase: Assists in breaking down aldehydes and some drugs.
Deficiency in molybdenum is rare but can cause neurological problems. Excess is also harmful, with symptoms of anemia, diarrhea and joint pain.
Foods such as legumes (beans, lentils, peas), grains, leafy vegetables, nuts, and organ meats are excellent dietary sources of molybdenum. The recommended daily ranges from 45 to 50 micrograms for adults.
A cup of cooked lentils contains about 70. This can vary nutritionally depending on digestive health and efficiency of nutrient uptake.
In livestock and agriculture, molybdenum supports enzymatic functions in plants and animals. In soil, a deficiency of molybdenum can inhibit crop growth and abundance.
Other Uses of Molybdenum
Molybdenum has broad industrial applications, including:
Alloy Production: Molybdenum is commonly alloyed with steel and other metals to enhance strength, toughness, resistance to wear, and ability to withstand high temperatures. It is often used in aircraft parts, military equipment, and industrial tools.
Catalysis: Molybdenum-based compounds act as catalysts in the petroleum industry to remove sulfur from fuels, reducing emissions to environmental standards. Environmental standards may vary.
Electronics and Energy: Its excellent conductivity and thermal stability make molybdenum valuable in electrical contacts, semiconductors, and solar panel production.
Corrosion Protection: Molybdenum is used in coatings to prevent rust and degradation in marine environments.
Medical Applications: Molybdenum isotopes, such as molybdenum-99, are used in the production of technetium-99m, a widely utilized diagnostic isotope in nuclear medicine.
Molybdenum disulfide (MoS2) is a popular lubricant in mechanical applications, due its low friction.
Facts About Molybdenum
Astronomical Presence: Molybdenum is believed to be present in stars.
Impact on Steel: The addition of small amounts of molybdenum makes steel much harder and more resistant to extreme temperatures.
Environmental Relevance: Molybdenum helps reduce sulfur pollution by enabling fuel desulfurization.
Economic Impact: Its extensive use in industrial machinery and construction makes molybdenum a valuable commodity on the global market.
Weaponry: Molybdenum is used in World War II to manufacture armor-piercing shell casings. Today it's tungsten, the metal with the highest melting point known, so weapons of death and destruction are even more efficient.
The Molybdenum Valley in Colorado, also called the Climax mine, is the world’s largest molybdenum mine in the mid-20th century.
Industrial Significance: Molybdenum is a vital component in creating superalloys.
Space Exploration: The unique properties of molybdenum, including its high melting point, allow it to withstand extreme conditions in space. It's used in rocket and satellite production.
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