Molybdenum blue

Molybdenum blue (including mineral indigo) is a term for the general composition Molybdänoxidhydroxide MoxOy (OH) e.g. The oxidation of the molybdenum moves this 5 to 6 For example, molybdenum is present in the compound Mo2O4 (OH) 2, the oxidation number 5, in the connection Mo4O10 (OH) 2, the average oxidation number of 5.5 and Mo8O15 (OH) 16, the average oxidation number 5.75. These three compounds were first prepared and characterized in 1951 by Oskar Glemser. There are crystalline and amorphous modifications of molybdenum blue.

Production

Molybdenum blue is obtained as a colloidal solution by reduction of acidified molybdate with a reducing agent such as tin ( II) ion, zinc, sulfur dioxide, hydrazine, or hydrogen sulfide. Also a production of molybdenum ( VI) oxide by reduction with lithium aluminum hydride or with hydrogen is possible.

Applications

The formation of molybdenum blue, in analytical chemistry for the detection of molybdenum and phosphates of importance.