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What molybdenum chemicals can be made from ammonium molybdate?
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Ammonium molybdate serves as a versatile starting material in the production of various molybdenum-based products. It is primarily used to prepare:
- Metallic Molybdenum: Ammonium molybdate can be reduced with hydrogen to produce molybdenum metal powder, which is subsequently converted into massive metal through powder-metallurgy or arc-casting processes.12
- Molybdenum Chemicals and Catalysts: It acts as a foundational compound for the synthesis of a wide array of other molybdenum chemicals and industrial catalysts.1
- Analytical Reagents: In analytical chemistry, ammonium molybdate is used as a precipitant for phosphoric acid, resulting in the formation of ammonium phosphomolybdate.3
While ammonium molybdate is a key precursor, it is important to note that most molybdenum compounds are derived from molybdenum trioxide (MoO₃), which is also the primary material used to manufacture ammonium molybdate itself.12