The mineralogy of Molybdenum

General Properties
Symbol:	Mo
Commodity pages:	Molybdenum
Atomic Number:	42
Standard atomic weight (A_r):	95.96(2)
Electron configuration:	[Kr] 4d⁵ 5s¹

Photos

<	Molybdenum	>

Atomic Properties
Electronegativity (Pauling scale):	2.16
Atomic Radius:	190 pm
Ionic Radius:	69 pm (+3)
1st Ionization energy:	684 kJ/mol
1st Electron affinity:	-72 kJ/mol
Oxidation States:	-2,-1,1,2,3,4,5,6

Physical Properties
Standard State:	solid
Bonding Type:	metallic
Melting Point:	2896 K
Boiling Point:	4912 K
Density:	10.28 g/cm³
Metal/Non-Metal:	transition metal

Main isotopes of Molybdenum
Isotope	% in Nature	Half Life	Decay type	Decay product
⁹²Mo	14.84%	>1.9×10²⁰y	β+β+ ?	⁹²Zr
⁹³Mo	synthetic	4×10³y	ε	⁹³Nb
⁹⁴Mo	9.25%	-	Spontaneous fission ?
⁹⁵Mo	15.92%	-	Spontaneous fission ?
⁹⁶Mo	16.68%	-	Spontaneous fission ?
⁹⁷Mo	9.55%	-	Spontaneous fission ?
⁹⁸Mo	24.13%	>1×10¹⁴y	β-β- ?	⁹⁸Ru
⁹⁹Mo	synthetic	65.94h	β−	^99mTc
¹⁰⁰Mo	9.63%	7.8×10¹⁸y	β-β-	¹⁰⁰Ru

Main ions of Molybdenum
Name	Ion	Example minerals
molybdenum(II)	Mo²⁺
molybdenum(III)	Mo³⁺
molybdenum(IV)	Mo⁴⁺	Molybdenite
molybdenum(V)	Mo⁵⁺
molybdenum(VI)	Mo⁶⁺	Molybdite
molybdate	[MoO₄]^2-	Wulfenite, Powellite

Other Information
Year Discovered:	1778
Discovered By:	Carl Wilhelm Scheele
Year Isolated:	1781
Isolated By:	Peter Jacob Hjelm
Named For:	From Greek: molybdos - "lead"
CPK color coding:	#54B5B5
External Links:	Wikipedia WebElements Los Alamos National Laboratory Theodore Gray's PeriodicTable.com

Simple Compounds and Mineral Names
Nitrides	molybdenum nitride	MoN	+3
Sulfides	molybdenum disulphide	MoS₂	+4	Jordisite, Molybdenite
Sulfides	dimolybdenum trisulphide	Mo₂S₃	+3
Selenides	molybdenum diselenide	MoSe₂	+4
Tellurides	molybdenum ditelluride	MoTe₂	+4
Fluorides	molybdenum trifluoride	MoF₃	+3
	molybdenum hexafluoride	MoF₆	+6
	molybdenum tetrafluoride	MoF₄	+4
	tetramolybdenum_eicosafluoride	Mo₄F₂₀	+5
Chlorides	molybdenum dichloride	MoCl₂	+2
	molybdenum trichloride	MoCl₃	+3
	molybdenum hexachloride	MoCl₆	+6
	molybdenum tetrachloride	MoCl₄	+4
	molybdenum pentachloride	MoCl₅	+5
Bromides	molybdenum tribromide	MoBr₃	+4
Bromides	molybdenum tetrabromide	MoBr₄	+4
Iodides	molybdenum diiodide	MoI₂	+2
	molybdenum triiodide	MoI₃	+3
	molybdenum tetraiodide	MoI₄	+4
Oxides	molybdenum oxide	MoO	+2
	molybdenum dioxide	MoO₂	+4	Tugarinovite
	molybdenum trioxide	MoO₃	+6	Molybdite

Mineral Diversity of Molybdenum
1. Elements	6 valid mineral species
2. Sulfides And Sulfosalts	9 valid mineral species
3. Halides	1 valid mineral species
4. Oxides	25 valid mineral species
6. Borates	1 valid mineral species
7. Sulfates	40 valid mineral species
8. Phosphates, Arsenates, Vanadates	10 valid mineral species
Total:	92 valid species containing essential Molybdenum

Minerals with the greatest weight % of Molybdenum
Hexamolybdenum	(Mo,Ru,Fe,Ir,Os)	100.00 %
Zoyashlyukovaite	MoC	88.88 %
Tugarinovite	MoO₂	74.99 %
Molybdite	MoO₃	66.66 %
Ilsemannite	Mo₃O₈·nH₂O	66.35 %
Tianhuixinite	(MoO₃)₃·H₂O	63.99 %
Zhenruite	(MoO₃)₂·H₂O	62.73 %
Majindeite	Mg₂Mo₃O₈	61.98 %
Jordisite	MoS₂	59.94 %
Molybdenite	MoS₂	59.94 %

Geochemistry of Molybdenum
Goldschmidt classification:	Siderophile
Mo⁴⁺ is enriched in Ca-Al-rich inclusions in meteorites relative to the composition of the solar system.
Mo²⁺ solute can be a limiting nutrient in the growth of bacteria.
Mo⁶⁺ solute is a micronutrient on land.

Elemental Abundance for Molybdenum
Crust (CRC Handbook)	1.2 x 10^-6	mass fraction, kg/kg
Crust (Kaye & Laby)	1.2 x 10^-6	mass fraction, kg/kg
Crust (Greenwood)	1.2 x 10^-6	mass fraction, kg/kg
Crust (Ahrens/Taylor)	1.000 x 10^-6	mass fraction, kg/kg
Upper Crust (Ahrens/Taylor)	1.500 x 10^-6	mass fraction, kg/kg
Sea Water (CRC Handbook)	1 x 10^-8	mass per volume fraction, kg/L
Sea Water (Kaye & Laby)	1.0 x 10^-8	mass per volume fraction, kg/L
The Sun (Kaye & Laby)	2.3 x 10^-6	atom mole fraction relative to Si=1
Solar System (Kaye & Laby)	2.6 x 10^-6	atom mole fraction relative to Si=1
Solar System (Ahrens)	2.55 x 10^-6 (5.5%)	atom mole fraction relative to Si=1 (% uncertainty)

Element association of Molybdenum in the Mineral World
This table compares the known valid mineral species listed listed with Molybdenum and the other elements listed based on the official IMA formula. Note that unlike other sections on this page this includes non-essential elements. The first data column contains the total number of minerals listed with Molybdenum and the element listed for that row. The second data column lists this number as a percentage of all minerals listed with Molybdenum. The final data column compares this percentage against the percentage of all minerals that contain the element listed in each row. Click on a heading to sort.

Element	Valid Minerals listed with element and Molybdenum	% of Mo minerals	Relative to % in all minerals
Oxygen	84 minerals with Mo and O	85.71%	5.57% higher
Hydrogen	59 minerals with Mo and H	60.20%	8.32% higher
Iron	24 minerals with Mo and Fe	24.49%	9.60% higher
Sulfur	19 minerals with Mo and S	19.39%	11.97% lower
Arsenic	17 minerals with Mo and As	17.35%	33.56% higher
Phosphorus	14 minerals with Mo and P	14.29%	16.45% higher
Copper	14 minerals with Mo and Cu	14.29%	5.57% higher
Calcium	11 minerals with Mo and Ca	11.22%	54.93% lower
Uranium	10 minerals with Mo and U	10.20%	96.90% higher
Sodium	9 minerals with Mo and Na	9.18%	50.63% lower
Magnesium	8 minerals with Mo and Mg	8.16%	38.58% lower
Potassium	8 minerals with Mo and K	8.16%	17.28% lower
Bismuth	8 minerals with Mo and Bi	8.16%	94.80% higher
Lead	6 minerals with Mo and Pb	6.12%	43.21% lower
Vanadium	4 minerals with Mo and V	4.08%	15.22% lower
Aluminium	4 minerals with Mo and Al	4.08%	79.49% lower
Chlorine	4 minerals with Mo and Cl	4.08%	44.40% lower
Nitrogen	3 minerals with Mo and N	3.06%	19.62% higher
Nickel	3 minerals with Mo and Ni	3.06%	8.86% lower
Niobium	3 minerals with Mo and Nb	3.06%	0.84% lower
Manganese	3 minerals with Mo and Mn	3.06%	73.75% lower
Silicon	2 minerals with Mo and Si	2.04%	92.59% lower
Boron	2 minerals with Mo and B	2.04%	59.11% lower
Fluorine	2 minerals with Mo and F	2.04%	74.07% lower
Mercury	2 minerals with Mo and Hg	2.04%	13.92% higher
Antimony	2 minerals with Mo and Sb	2.04%	64.36% lower
Tungsten	2 minerals with Mo and W	2.04%	123.85% higher
Thorium	2 minerals with Mo and Th	2.04%	218.98% higher
Selenium	1 mineral with Mo and Se	1.02%	62.03% lower
Yttrium	1 mineral with Mo and Y	1.02%	56.30% lower
Zirconium	1 mineral with Mo and Zr	1.02%	57.75% lower
Carbon	1 mineral with Mo and C	1.02%	87.49% lower
Chromium	1 mineral with Mo and Cr	1.02%	45.47% lower
Germanium	1 mineral with Mo and Ge	1.02%	44.99% higher
Barium	1 mineral with Mo and Ba	1.02%	78.00% lower
Cerium	1 mineral with Mo and Ce	1.02%	66.95% lower
Iridium	1 mineral with Mo and Ir	1.02%	155.18% higher
Ruthenium	1 mineral with Mo and Ru	1.02%	355.69% higher
Tin	1 mineral with Mo and Sn	1.02%	44.04% lower
Tellurium	1 mineral with Mo and Te	1.02%	71.39% lower
Rhenium	1 mineral with Mo and Re	1.02%	3,089.80% higher
Osmium	1 mineral with Mo and Os	1.02%	608.84% higher

Periodic Table

2He

3Li

4Be

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Niobium << Molybdenum >> Technetium

Most widespread minerals containing Molybdenum
This list of minerals containing Molybdenum is built from the mindat.org locality database. This is based on the number of localities entered for mineral species and is therefore slanted towards minerals interesting to collectors with less coverage of common rock-forming-minerals so it does not give an undistorted distribution of Molybdenum mineral species. It is more useful when comparing rare species rather than common species.

Most widespread minerals containing Molybdenum

This list of minerals containing Molybdenum is built from the mindat.org locality database. This is based on the number of localities entered for mineral species and is therefore slanted towards minerals interesting to collectors with less coverage of common rock-forming-minerals so it does not give an undistorted distribution of Molybdenum mineral species. It is more useful when comparing rare species rather than common species.

Name	Formula	Crystal System	Mindat Localities
Molybdenite	MoS₂	Hexagonal	7459
Wulfenite	Pb(MoO₄)	Tetragonal	2062
Powellite	Ca(MoO₄)	Tetragonal	623
Ferrimolybdite	Fe₂(MoO₄)₃ · nH₂O	Orthorhombic	397
Molybdite	MoO₃	Orthorhombic	166
Ilsemannite	Mo₃O₈ · nH₂O	Amorphous	162
Jordisite	MoS₂	Amorphous	123
Koechlinite	Bi₂MoO₆	Orthorhombic	47
Lindgrenite	Cu₃(MoO₄)₂(OH)₂	Monoclinic	26
Iriginite	(UO₂)Mo₂O₇ · 3H₂O	Orthorhombic	26

Photos
Molybdenite, etc. Feldspar Corp. pegmatite quarry, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA Wulfenite El Refugio mine, Galena Mining District, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA Powellite Manto Cuba pit, Delirio mine, San Pedro de Cachiyuyo mining district, Diego de Almagro, Chañaral Province, Atacama, Chile Ferrimolybdite Mount Moliagul, Moliagul, Central Goldfields Shire, Victoria, Australia Molybdenite, etc. Feldspar Corp. pegmatite quarry, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA Wulfenite El Refugio mine, Galena Mining District, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA Powellite Manto Cuba pit, Delirio mine, San Pedro de Cachiyuyo mining district, Diego de Almagro, Chañaral Province, Atacama, Chile Ferrimolybdite Mount Moliagul, Moliagul, Central Goldfields Shire, Victoria, Australia Molybdenite, etc. Feldspar Corp. pegmatite quarry, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA Wulfenite El Refugio mine, Galena Mining District, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA Powellite Manto Cuba pit, Delirio mine, San Pedro de Cachiyuyo mining district, Diego de Almagro, Chañaral Province, Atacama, Chile Ferrimolybdite Mount Moliagul, Moliagul, Central Goldfields Shire, Victoria, Australia

Photos

Molybdenite, etc.

Feldspar Corp. pegmatite quarry, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA

Wulfenite

El Refugio mine, Galena Mining District, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA

Powellite

Manto Cuba pit, Delirio mine, San Pedro de Cachiyuyo mining district, Diego de Almagro, Chañaral Province, Atacama, Chile

Ferrimolybdite

Mount Moliagul, Moliagul, Central Goldfields Shire, Victoria, Australia

Molybdenite, etc.

Feldspar Corp. pegmatite quarry, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA

Wulfenite

El Refugio mine, Galena Mining District, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA

Powellite

Manto Cuba pit, Delirio mine, San Pedro de Cachiyuyo mining district, Diego de Almagro, Chañaral Province, Atacama, Chile

Ferrimolybdite

Mount Moliagul, Moliagul, Central Goldfields Shire, Victoria, Australia

Molybdenite, etc.

Feldspar Corp. pegmatite quarry, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA

Wulfenite

El Refugio mine, Galena Mining District, Lawrence County, South Dakota, USA

Powellite

Manto Cuba pit, Delirio mine, San Pedro de Cachiyuyo mining district, Diego de Almagro, Chañaral Province, Atacama, Chile

Ferrimolybdite

Mount Moliagul, Moliagul, Central Goldfields Shire, Victoria, Australia

Localities with greatest number of different Molybdenum mineral species

1	Punta de Su Seinargiu (Su Seinargiu; Su Senargiu), Sarroch, Metropolitan City of Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy	16 Mo minerals
2	Chuquicamata Mine, Chuquicamata District, Calama, El Loa Province, Antofagasta, Chile	12 Mo minerals
3	Kingsgate, Gough Co., New South Wales, Australia	12 Mo minerals
4	Freedom No. 2 Mine, Marysvale Mining District, Piute County, Utah, USA	12 Mo minerals
5	Kyzylsai Mo-U deposit, Chu-Ili Mountains, Ulytau District, Ulytau Region, Kazakhstan	11 Mo minerals
6	Tsumeb Mine (Ongopolo Mine), Tsumeb, Oshikoto Region, Namibia	10 Mo minerals
7	Old 25 Pipe (Pipe No. 14), Kingsgate, Gough Co., New South Wales, Australia	10 Mo minerals
8	Summit group (Poe Mines), Cookes Peak Mining District, Luna County, New Mexico, USA	10 Mo minerals

Important ores of Molybdenum

Name	Formula	Crystal System
Molybdenite	MoS₂	Hexagonal

Photos
Molybdenite Edison Mine, Sparta Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA Molybdenite Onganja Mine, Helen Farm 235, Seeis, Windhoek Rural, Khomas Region, Namibia Molybdenite Catherine Mountain Molybdenite prospect, Catherine Mountain, T10 SD, Hancock County, Maine, USA Molybdenite Feldspar Corp. pegmatite quarry, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA Molybdenite Edison Mine, Sparta Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA Molybdenite Onganja Mine, Helen Farm 235, Seeis, Windhoek Rural, Khomas Region, Namibia Molybdenite Catherine Mountain Molybdenite prospect, Catherine Mountain, T10 SD, Hancock County, Maine, USA Molybdenite Feldspar Corp. pegmatite quarry, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA Molybdenite Edison Mine, Sparta Township, Sussex County, New Jersey, USA Molybdenite Onganja Mine, Helen Farm 235, Seeis, Windhoek Rural, Khomas Region, Namibia Molybdenite Catherine Mountain Molybdenite prospect, Catherine Mountain, T10 SD, Hancock County, Maine, USA Molybdenite Feldspar Corp. pegmatite quarry, White Rock Mining District, Middletown, Middlesex County, Connecticut, USA

Photos