Before Scheele recognized molybdenite as a distinct ore of a new element in 1778, it was confused with graphite and lead ore. The metal was preparedin an impure form in 1782 by Hjelm. Molybdenum does not occur native, but is obtained principally from molybdenite (MoS2). Wulfenite (PbMoO4)and Powellite (Ca(MoW)O4) are also minor commercial ores. Molybdenum is also recovered as a by-product of copper and tungsten mining operations.The metal is prepared from the powder made by the hydrogen reduction of purified molybdic trioxide or ammonium molybdate. The metal is silverywhite, very hard, but is softer and more ductile than tungsten. It has a high elastic modulus, and only tungsten and tantalum, of the more readily availablemetals, have higher melting points. It is a valuable alloying agent, as it contributes to the hardenability and toughness of quenched and tempered steels.It also improves the strength of steel at high temperatures. It is used in certain nickel-based alloys, such as the “Hastelloys (R)” which are heat-resistantand corrosion-resistant to chemical solutions. Molybdenum oxidizes at elevated temperatures. The metal has found recent application as electrodesfor electrically heated glass furnaces and forehearths. The metal is also used in nuclear energy applications and for missile and aircraft parts.Molybdenum is valuable as a catalyst in the refining of petroleum. It has found application as a filament material in electronic and electrical applications.Molybdenum is an essential trace element in plant nutrition. Some lands are barren for lack of this element in the soil. Molybdenum sulfide is usefulas a lubricant, especially at high temperatures where oils would decompose. Almost all ultra-high strength steels with minimum yield points up to300,000 psi (lb/sq. in.) contain molybdenum in amounts from 0.25 to 8%. Natural molybdenum contains seven isotopes. Twenty three other isotopes andisomers are known, all of which are radioactive. Molybdenum metal costs about $1/g (99.999% purity). Commercial molybdenum metal (99.9%) costsabout $200/kg. 1

• "enzymes, sulfur metabolism…essential for enzymes in humans and other animals" 2
• "Metallic molybdenum has important electrical uses as the supports of filaments in incandescent lamps and radio tubes, in resistance wires and contact points, on account of its high melting point." 3
• "A number of transition metals (Ti, Zr, Hf, V, Nb, Ta, Mo, W) form interstitial carbides of composition MC and, in some cases, M₂C. These carbides have extremely high melting points; they are very hard, and they are good electrical conductors." 4
• "Mixed with molybdenum, scandium helps to inhibit the corrosion of zirconium." 5

Melting Point:6*  2623 °C = 2896.15 K = 4753.4 °F
Boiling Point:6* 4639 °C = 4912.15 K = 8382.2 °F
Sublimation Point:6 
Triple Point:6 
Critical Point:6 
Density:7  10.2 g/cm3

* - at 1 atm

Electron Configuration

Bonding

Thermochemistry

Isotopes

Earth - Source Compounds: sulfides 18
Earth - Seawater: 0.01 mg/L 19
Earth -  Crust:  1.2 mg/kg = 0.00012% 19
Earth -  Total:  2.35 ppm 20
Mercury -  Total:  1.81 ppm 20
Venus -  Total:  2.47 ppm 20
Chondrites - Total: 2.5 (relative to 106 atoms of Si) 21
Human Body - Total: 0.00001% 22

Material Safety Data Sheet - ACI Alloys, Inc.

External Links:

Magazines:
(1) Raloff, Janet. Desperately Seeking Moly. Science News, September 26, 2009, pp 16-20.

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(9) - Lide, David R. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 84th ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2002; p 10:147-10:148.
(10) - Speight, James. Lange's Handbook of Chemistry, 16th ed.; McGraw-Hill Professional: Boston, MA, 2004; p 1:132.
(11) - Lide, David R. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 83rd ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2002; p 10:178 - 10:180.
(12) - Lide, David R. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 83rd ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2002; p 4:133.
(13) - Lide, David R. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 83rd ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2002; pp 6:193, 12:219-220.
(14) - Lide, David R. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 83rd ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2002; pp 6:123-6:137.
(15) - Lide, David R. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 83rd ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2002; pp 6:107-6:122.
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(22) - Lide, David R. CRC Handbook of Chemistry and Physics, 83rd ed.; CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, 2002; p 7:17.