Molybdenum, a transition metal element in group 6 (chromium subgroup) of the fifth period of the periodic table. The element symbol Mo, atomic number 42, relative atomic mass 95.95. The relative density is 10.28g/cm³, the melting point is 2622 °C, and the boiling point is 4825 °C. The resistivity is 5.2X10⁻⁸Ω·m (20°C).
Molybdenum is a transition metal element, which is an essential trace element for the human body, animals and plants. Molybdenum is a silvery-white metal that is hard and tough. All tissues of the human body contain molybdenum, the total amount in the human body is about 9mg, and the content is the highest in the liver and kidney.
The important compounds of molybdenum are molybdenum oxide, molybdenum sulfide, molybdate and polyester of molybdenum. In nature, molybdenite (the main component molybdenum disulfide) exists. High-temperature oxidation of molybdenite is molybdenum oxide, and then elemental molybdenum is prepared by hydrogen or thermite reduction. It is mainly used for special alloys, electrodes and catalysts. It is an essential trace element for the human body.