Ammonium heptamolybdate

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Ammonium heptamolybdate
Identifiers
CAS number 12027-67-7 YesY
12054-85-2 (tetrahydrate)
ChemSpider 23786 YesY
UNII 21Y68J178E YesY
EC number 234-320-9
Jmol-3D images Image 1
Properties
Molecular formula (NH4)6Mo7O24
Molar mass 1163.9 g/mol
1235.86 g/mol (tetrahydrate)
Appearance white to yellow-green crystalline solid
Density 2.498 g/cm3
Melting point

~90 ˚C (loses water molecule)
190 °C (decomp.)

Solubility in water 43 g/100 ml (tetrahydrate)
Hazards
MSDS External MSDS
EU Index Not listed
Main hazards Irritant
NFPA 704
NFPA 704.svg
0
2
0
Flash point Non-flammable
Related compounds
Other anions Ammonium orthomolybdate
Ammonium dimolybdate
Other cations Potassium paramolybdate
Related compounds Molybdenum(VI) oxide
Molybdic acid
 YesY (verify) (what is: YesY/N?)
Except where noted otherwise, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C, 100 kPa)
Infobox references

Ammonium heptamolybdate is an odourless crystalline compound ranging in colour from white to yellow-green. It is usually encountered as the tetrahydrate, whose chemical formula is (NH4)6Mo7O24·4H2O. It is often referred to as ammonium paramolybdate or simply as ammonium molybdate, although ammonium molybdate can also refer to ammonium orthomolybdate, (NH4)2MoO4, and several other species.

Contents

[edit] Synthesis

Ammonium heptamolybdate is easily prepared by dissolving molybdenum trioxide in an excess of aqueous ammonia and evaporating the solution at room temperature. While the solution evaporates, the excess of ammonia escapes. This method results in the formation of six-sided transparent prisms of the tetrahydrate of ammonium heptamolybdate.[1]

Solutions of ammonium paramolybdate react with acids to form molybdic acid and an ammonium salt. The pH value of a concentrated solution will lie between 5 and 6.

[edit] Uses

  • as an analytical reagent to measure the amount of phosphates, silicates, arsenates and lead in aqueous solution (e.g. pigments, river water, sea water etc.)[2]
  • in the production of molybdenum metal and ceramics
  • in the preparation of dehydrogenation and desulphurisation catalysts
  • in the fixing of metals
  • in electroplating
  • in fertilizers for crops.
  • as a negative stain in biological electron microscopy, typically in the 3–5% (vol/vol) concentration range and in the presence of trehalose[3]; or at saturated concentration to perform cryo-negative staining.[4][5]

[edit] Safety

Ammonium paramolybdate is harmful if swallowed or inhaled. It causes irritation to the eyes, skin, and respiratory tract. It affects kidneys and blood.

[edit] References

  1. ^ L. Svanberg & H. Struve, J. pr. Ch. 44 [1848], p. 282; cited in Gmelin's Handbuch für Anorganische Chemie, 53, p. 255.
  2. ^ Parsons, T.,Maita, V., & Lalli, C. (1984). A manual of chemical and biological methods for seawater analysis. Oxford: Pergamon.
  3. ^ Harris, J.R. and Horne, R.W. 1991. Negative staining, in Harris J. R. (Ed.), Electron Microscopy in Biology, Oxford University Press, Oxford.
  4. ^ Adrian, M., Dubochet, J., Fuller, S.D. and Harris, J.R. 1998. Cryo-negative Staining. Micron 29, p. 145–160; doi:10.1016/S0968-4328(97)00068-1 .
  5. ^ De Carlo, S., El-Bez, C., Alvarez-Rúa, C., Borge, J. and Dubochet, J. 2002. Cryo-negative staining reduces electron-beam sensitivity of vitrified biological particles. J. Struct. Biol. 138, p. 216–226; doi:10.1016/S1047-8477(02)00035-7  ; PMID 12217660.

[edit] External links

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