What is "molybdenum blue"

n. (context inorganic chemistry English) A complex oxide derived from a heteropoly acid of molybdenum and another element, typically phosphorus

Molybdenum blue is a term applied to:

• reduced heteropolymolybdate complexes, polyoxometalates containing Mo(V), Mo(VI), and a hetero atom such as phosphorus or silicon
• reduced isopolymolybdate complexes, polyoxometalates containing Mo(V), Mo(VI) formed when solutions of Mo(VI) are reduced
• a blue pigment containing molybdenum(VI) oxide

The "heteropoly-molybdenum blues", are used extensively in analytical chemistry and as catalysts. The formation of "isopoly-molybdenum blues" which are intense blue has been used as a sensitive test for reducing reagents. They have recently been shown to contain very large anionic species based on the so-called "big wheel" containing 154 Mo atoms, with a formula [MoOH(HO)].

The molybdenum blue pigment is historically documented but may not be in use today.