page_title: Molybdenum trioxide
section_title: Uses
hierarchical_section_title: Molybdenum trioxide / Uses
caption_attribution_description: English: Molybdite, Molybdenite Locality: Questa Molybdenum Mine (Moly Mine; R and S Mine), Questa, Taos County, New Mexico, USA (Locality at mindat.org) Size: 11.0 x 6.7 x 4.1 cm. Molybdite is an uncommon molybdenum oxide and this cabinet specimen is a rare and rich specimen from New Mexico out of the Mullane Collection. Pastel-yellow molybdite richly covers the metallic-gray molybdenite and quartz on both sides of this old-time piece from the Questa Molybdenum Mine in Taos County. Accompanied by an old and faded handwritten label. Deutsch: Molybdit, Molybdänit Fundort: Questa Molybdenum Mine (Moly Mine; R and S Mine), Questa, Taos County, New Mexico, Vereinigte Staaten (Fundort bei mindat.org) Größe: 11.0 x 6.7 x 4.1 cm.
context_page_description: Molybdenum trioxide is chemical compound with the formula MoO₃. This compound is produced on the largest scale of any molybdenum compound. It is an intermediate in the production of molybdenum metal. It is also an important industrial catalyst. Molybdenum trioxide occurs as the rare mineral molybdite.
context_section_description: Molybdenum trioxide is used to manufacture molybdenum metal, which serves as an additive to steel and corrosion-resistant alloys. The relevant conversion entails treatment of MoO₃ with hydrogen at elevated temperatures:
  MoO₃  +  3 H₂  →   Mo  +  3 H₂O
  It is also a component of the co-catalyst used in the industrial production of acrylonitrile by the oxidation of propene and ammonia.
  Because of its layered structure and the ease of the Mo(VI)/Mo(V) coupling, MoO₃ is of interest in electrochemical devices and displays. Molybdenum trioxide has also been suggested as a potential anti-microbial agent, e.g., in polymers. In contact with water, it forms H⁺ ions that can kill bacteria effectively.
caption: Molybdite on molybdenite, Questa molybdenum mine, New Mexico (size: 11.0×6.7×4.1 cm)
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