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Sodium molybdate didn't start out as a modern industrial staple. Early chemists first pulled molybdenum out of the earth’s crust in the late 1700s, but real utility emerged later. As agriculture, metallurgy, and chemistry advanced, people recognized the compound's value in everything from plant nutrition to corrosion prevention. My own dive into industrial chemistry textbooks from decades past shows pages marked with molybdate formulas, used as much in water treatment as they were in fertilizer research. The compound became a staple for its reliability and performance, not just in cutting-edge labs, but across farms and factories where problem-solving mattered more than theory.
Sodium molybdate, formula Na2MoO4·2H2O, stands out as a white, crystalline powder. It mixes well with water and provides molybdenum in a form friendly to plants and industry. Sales reps who talk shop with agronomists tell me the granules travel easy, dissolve quickly, and handle well in bulk storage—features that get noticed in real-world operations.
Look at sodium molybdate under a microscope and you’ll spot colorless crystals that dissolve with ease. Chemically, it weighs in at 241.95g/mol for the dihydrate, holds melting points above 695°C, and doesn’t burn or fume under normal conditions. The water solubility means fast uptake in soil and clear dissolution in industrial solutions. Its stability shines in blending tanks, pipeline feeds, and nutrient mixes. My own lab work confirmed its resistance to clumping in bags, so storage doesn't turn into a chore.
Technical data sheets matter because mistakes cost money on the factory floor. Sodium molybdate often appears as Na2MoO4·2H2O with molybdenum content of nearly 39%. Labels should list purity, moisture levels, and maximum traces of lead or arsenic. Most suppliers print batch numbers, recommended storage temperatures, and safety precautions right on the packaging. These pointers spell the difference between smooth handling and unexpected downtime.
Producers usually start from molybdenum trioxide, dissolving it in sodium hydroxide or carbonate. Heating the mixture gives sodium molybdate. Old plant handbooks describe Nutsche filtration and spray drying, routes that yield a product consistent enough for dosing valves and spreaders alike. Sometimes, small tweaks fit different industries—fertilizer producers go for bulk, water treatment folks want higher purity, each process adapted from a base recipe that’s stood the test of time.
Chemists get creative with sodium molybdate. It acts as a source of molybdenum for synthesizing pigments, catalysts, or other molybdenum compounds. Acidification yields molybdic acid. In my days working with plant micro-nutrient mixes, I watched sodium molybdate react smoothly with trace metals, forming stable complexes that feed crops without unwanted side effects. It’s also reactive with nitrites in corrosion inhibition, giving an environmental edge over older toxic inhibitors. Lab notes often show how the compound’s hexavalent molybdenum hooks up with organics, opening doors for more advanced catalysts.
Companies swap names but mean the same thing: disodium molybdate, sodium molybdate dihydrate, or even sodium molybdate(VI). Some trade under names like Sodiomol or Dismol. There's never any confusion for people who work with it every day—batch codes, grade descriptions, and CAS numbers do the talking, especially for big orders.
Safety sheets urge gloves and goggles, but the risks rarely go beyond general chemical handling. Chronic exposure at high doses can tip the scales toward toxicity, but typical workplace levels don’t cause trouble if folks stick to common-sense protections. Workers in fertilizer plants, chemical blenders, or water treatment outfits value clear instructions: dust suppression, spill procedures, and good ventilation. Companies that supply sodium molybdate write detailed training modules—not just to tick boxes, but to make sure their crews get home safe.
Few chemicals wear as many hats. Sodium molybdate’s best-known for feeding crops; just a pinch in fertilizer blends helps beans and lentils thrive on otherwise barren soils. Farmers credit sharp green leaves and bumper yields to proper molybdenum levels. Water engineers use it to halt rust in cooling towers and boilers, and their logs show corrosion risks drop when dosage hits the sweet spot. Industrial users rely on sodium molybdate for pigment synthesis, leather processing, and ceramics work, where its steadiness shines through. Research teams test its catalytic properties for hydrodesulfurization, and animal nutritionists build it into feed premixes. Behind the scenes, it keeps high-temperature lubricants working longer and sensors running accurately—a reach spanning field, factory, and laboratory.
Ongoing research fuels better uses. Universities focus on fast-release forms for crops, looking at how micro-encapsulation might boost absorption and cut runoff into local streams. In my own encounters with research teams, I’ve seen studies testing nano-scale molybdate for new battery chemistries or advanced catalysts. Polymer science considers it as a stabilizer with unique redox behavior. Researchers also push for greener production, driving down energy inputs and waste by switching process chemicals or improving heat recovery. Plenty of articles track every new tweak, but the most useful reports compare direct field results rather than just lab data.
Toxicologists have long debated safe limits. Too much molybdate in soil or water can stress plants and animals, yet careful application avoids harmful buildup. The US EPA and similar agencies regulate workplace and environmental levels to limit risk. Lab data shows high molybdenum intake may disrupt copper metabolism in livestock, causing health issues on poorly balanced soils. Field veterinarians watch for symptoms, adjust feed formulations, and share results with crop advisors, forming a tight loop between lab evidence and practical safety. Most exposure cases clear up with reduced intake and monitoring, so regulators lean on up-to-date field trial data instead of relying solely on old toxicity limits.
Sodium molybdate’s future looks tied both to cleaner agriculture and advanced industry. Crop scientists ramp up trials to fine-tune dosage and stop trace nutrient deficits, aiming to feed more people on less land. Battery and catalyst developers eye the compound for next-generation renewable energy storage and hydrogen production. Sustainability plays a big role—greener manufacturing, smarter dosing, and closed-loop recycling get top billing at sustainability summits. The compound’s reliability underpins both traditional uses and tomorrow’s tech ambitions, making it a fixture not just in current supply lines, but in long-term innovation pipelines.
Walking through a lush field, you can almost smell the importance of micronutrients. Sodium molybdate plays a part most folks hardly notice, but its absence tells a sad story for farmers. Legumes like beans and peas need it for nitrogen fixation. Without enough, leaves turn yellow and the harvest drops fast. A long-time grower in western Nebraska once told me he’d fought poor yields for seasons, only to discover his soil lacked molybdenum. A single foliar feeding with sodium molybdate set things right, and yields rebounded. It's not just about leafy greens; the compound helps wheat, clover, and cauliflower reach their potential too. Just a few grams per acre go a long way, making it affordable for even small farms.
Out in oilfields and factories, sodium molybdate helps in places far from farm soil. Water in industrial systems gets gummed up with corrosion, especially in cooling towers. Adding sodium molybdate forms a film on metal which blocks nasty rust and keeps machines running longer. It works at low doses, so it’s often chosen over older inhibitors like chromates that bring health and environmental headaches. Chemical plants, paper mills, and even breweries keep their water lines flowing with this silent helper.
Laboratories value sodium molybdate not for nutrients or anti-rust tricks, but because it assists in research and diagnostics. In an old college lab, I watched a professor measure phosphate levels in river water using a molybdate-based color reaction. The blue tinge in the sample told us what nearby farms were leaching into the water. Hospitals and water-waste plants still rely on this reaction for routine testing. Scientists also reach for sodium molybdate while preparing certain catalysts or purifying rare metals. It’s the kind of compound that sits quietly in hundreds of labs, helping other discoveries along.
Cattle and sheep need trace amounts of molybdenum to thrive. Without it, their bodies struggle to process copper, leading to health problems that ripple through an entire herd. Ranchers in places with copper-rich soils keep a jar of sodium molybdate on hand to mix into feed. It balances copper levels and keeps livestock healthy, which also translates to better milk and meat. Too much can spell trouble though; dosing requires care and experience, something old ranchers pass down.
With worries about groundwater and pollution growing, sodium molybdate stands out as a safer choice compared to tougher chemicals. It breaks down relatively quickly and poses low toxicity for people and wildlife. That’s a comfort for those of us who’ve seen damage left behind by older anti-corrosion products. Increasing environmental oversight has nudged many companies toward using it. While it never grabs headlines, the compound earns respect for making many workplaces cleaner and safer.
Farms, factories, research labs, and ranches all count on sodium molybdate, each for their own reasons. Its low profile hides an outsized impact, keeping systems running and living things healthy. Peak performance means paying attention to little details—trace minerals, subtle chemical reactions, small improvements in feed—and sodium molybdate keeps proving its worth quietly, season after season.
Sodium molybdate shows up in all kinds of industries. Farmers use it for crop nutrition, water treatment specialists rely on it, and some manufacturers add it to prevent corrosion. Most people working in those fields rarely think about the fine details of the chemicals in their hands. Yet, safety matters a lot, so it helps to get familiar with what sodium molybdate really brings to workbenches and fields, not just its technical uses but its health profile too.
Anyone who has ever opened a drum of sodium molybdate knows it’s a white, powdery salt. It barely has a smell, doesn’t irritate skin on contact in small amounts, and doesn’t burn when spilled. Gloves cover most hands and dust masks help in spaces where the powder flies. I haven’t seen instant health reactions among coworkers, but we do get training on why routine exposure isn’t a good idea. Here’s why it matters: extended exposure or inhaling a lot of sodium molybdate dust may lead to headaches, coughing, or irritation of the respiratory tract. That warning sticks with you long after the first chemical safety class, especially for folks who get careless once they’re familiar with daily routines.
The science strengthens routine caution. The US National Library of Medicine and the European Chemicals Agency list sodium molybdate as a low-moderate hazard for workplace exposure. High doses over long periods may affect the lungs, liver, and kidneys. Most plants and processing lines make sure no one eats lunch without washing their hands or sips coffee near the storage bins. The message: the risk might be small for short, low-dose contact, but trouble grows with longer, repeated exposure.
Factories and farms use exposure limits that match national safety standards. In the United States, the OSHA recommended exposure limit stands at 5 mg/m³, averaged over an eight-hour shift. Teams who handle sodium molybdate at fertilizer blenders or water treatment plants follow those numbers. Ventilated hoppers suck dust out of the work zone. Workers don safety goggles, masks, and gloves as a habit, not a formality, since basic protection proves more effective than any chemical’s promise of “low hazard.”
On-the-ground stories matter more than product safety sheets. I’ve seen a spill cleaned up fast with a damp mop instead of brushing, because wet mops trap powder and dry ones raise clouds. Every beginner gets that same hands-on training: always avoid eating, drinking, or smoking in areas used for handling sodium molybdate. Managers make sure to provide eye wash stations and encourage people to report symptoms right away, long before things turn into real trouble. Seasoned workers share tips, like checking glove quality and using disposable dust masks if extraction fans go down for maintenance.
Packing sodium molybdate in sturdy, sealed containers stops a lot of accidental spills. Some companies push for bulk delivery in pre-mixed solutions, which cuts the dust sources down even further. On a bigger level, industry leaders might support more employee health screenings and invest in better dust control systems. While sodium molybdate isn’t the most dangerous chemical in the warehouse, its safety depends on attention to detail and updated safety routines. Sticking to basics and sharing what works in the field bridges the gap between technical advice and the reality of handling chemicals every day.
Sodium molybdate carries the chemical formula Na2MoO4. You often find it as a white, crystalline powder that dissolves well in water, which means people use it across a range of settings from agriculture to industrial chemistry. The formula might look intimidating at a glance, but breaking it down helps everyone, especially those who deal with plant nutrition or water treatment.
The structure, with two sodium atoms, one molybdenum, and four oxygen atoms, isn’t just memorized for trivia. It guides safe handling and appropriate use. Farmers and agronomists rely on sodium molybdate to provide molybdenum—an essential trace element—for crops like soybeans, lentils, and peas. Beans and many legumes need molybdenum to help bacteria in their roots fix nitrogen efficiently. Without a clear idea of its chemical makeup, an accidental dose can create toxicity in both the field and in water systems downstream.
During my time consulting with growers across the Midwest, I noticed some overlooked the impact of applying products without reading the label. They relied on word of mouth and habit. After hearing from a bean producer who faced yellowing leaves after using too much sodium molybdate, it pushed home just how easily numbers like Na2MoO4 translate into the real world. Getting that formula right means achieving healthy crops without putting the local water supply at risk.
Sodium molybdate presents less risk than many industrial chemicals, but too much exposure—especially for workers handling it every day—brings health risks. Breathing in the dust or repeated skin contact can lead to a sore throat or irritation. The OSHA website lays out exposure limits for molybdenum compounds, underscoring the need for gloves, eyewear, and good ventilation in facilities that handle it by the ton.
Heavy use in fertilizer applications sometimes leads to runoff. That runoff eventually seeps into rivers and groundwater. High levels of sodium and molybdenum in drinking water can build up slowly in livestock or wildlife, which in turn may cause reproductive issues or stunted growth. Simple steps like soil testing, using minimal effective rates, and following local recommendations help keep farms productive and waterways clean.
One approach I recommend: connect with a trusted agronomist or county extension agent before adding any micronutrient supplement. They can help calculate the safe amount based on your soil’s existing molybdenum levels. Many universities run outreach programs that walk through these calculations for free or at low cost. Double-checking numbers on a product’s label matters, especially since Na2MoO4 looks similar to less common salts that might contain impurities.
Sodium molybdate’s formula isn’t just for chemists on paper. The right details support smart decisions for farmers, gardeners, and anyone using micronutrients. With some basic knowledge and local support, anyone who needs to handle sodium molybdate safely can strike a responsible balance between their goals and the community’s well-being.
Sodium molybdate stands out for more than its chemistry. This compound serves agriculture, water treatment facilities, and industry, and even tiny mistakes in storage can spark safety worries or cut profits. Many stories float around in labs and factories: someone kept a drum too near moisture, and suddenly what was fine powder yesterday looks like a clumpy, sticky mess. Keeping things simple and safe has mattered every single time.
Moisture and sodium molybdate do not get along. It readily absorbs water from the air, putting it at risk for caking and losing its free-flowing quality. Walk through any plant during summer and you can spot bags with signs of dampness—not because someone ignored advice, but because climate and poor packaging combined forces. High humidity ruins usability and can slowly corrode packaging. The ideal answer is a dry, ventilated room with low relative humidity—think dehumidifiers, constant air movement, and seals that actually work.
Too much heat pushes decomposition and can spark faster reactions with anything nearby. Consistent, cool storage protects the chemical and anyone working near it. Air conditioning, simple shade, or even smart warehouse choices make all the difference. Long stretches above 25°C often speed up unwanted changes, and sudden shifts in temperature push condensation into the packaging, undoing months of careful work. Keeping the thermometer in check and protecting from sunlight stands as a smart, low-cost way to avoid spoiled stock.
Strong, watertight containers block trouble before it starts. In practice, thick polyethylene or metal drums, tightly closed and placed above floor level, have seen the best results. Plastic sacks or thin bags give in to sharp pallets, spilled liquids, and rodents. An employee at a fertilizer warehouse once pointed out that double-bagging with seals not only kept moisture out but kept accidents down—one small leak didn’t wipe out the whole shipment. Marking the date and batch on each drum or bag, and using the oldest stock first, keeps rotation simple and honest.
Clear labels prevent mix-ups and make sure emergencies stay under control. Any facility working with both oxidizers and combustibles should store sodium molybdate away from acids, organics, and strong reducing agents. Cross-contamination risks more than ruined products; it can mean hazardous reactions. Painted lines, simple signage, and honest communication between shifts keep surprises away. Even in the busiest plants, a ten-minute double-check on placement, compatibility, and container seals makes a world of difference both for safety and for product quality.
Real experience shows that regular checks—weekly, not yearly—save more money and headaches than any manual or sign could. Written procedures on paper only matter if people follow them. Training every new hire, updating anyone on changes, and keeping a log of inspections turns theoretical safety into everyday culture. For anyone handling sodium molybdate, peace of mind comes from knowing that, with a little practical effort, loss and danger don’t stand a chance.
Soil can look fine but still leave crops and gardens in a tough spot. Molybdenum happens to be one of those elements required in tiny amounts, yet it changes a plant’s whole game. Sodium molybdate acts as a reliable source, especially for folks who live in regions with acidic or sandy soils where molybdenum deficiencies keep popping up. Insufficient molybdenum leads to pale leaves, stunted shoots, and overall poor performance in legumes and brassicas. Seeing plants recover after an application reminds you quickly just how essential the right dose can be.
From experience working with agronomists and home growers, the numbers aren’t wild guesses—they come from solid research and years in the field. Typical sodium molybdate rates for soil range from 50 to 100 grams per hectare for crops that show a deficiency. That’s about 0.05 to 0.1 kilograms across a standard football field’s worth of land. For foliar sprays, most guides suggest 50 grams dissolved in 100 liters of water, sprayed evenly over leaves at growth stages where a boost is needed. Seeds, especially beans and peas, often do best with a little shot of 1 gram per kilogram of seed during pre-planting treatments.
Many growers get tempted to apply extra, hoping for faster results. Overshooting rarely helps; too much molybdenum stresses plants and, in rare cases, can turn the deficiency problem upside down by making plants toxic to grazing livestock. For perspective, the beneficial window feels more like a narrow alley than an open field, so measuring and mixing with care really pays back.
Using sodium molybdate isn’t always a simple copy-paste job from one field to another. Regional climate, crop variety, and even last year’s fertilizer choices push rates up or down. For example, leafy brassicas in wet, acidic soils often need the higher end of the rate spectrum to avoid distorted or pale growth. Beans grown in neutral, loam soils generally need less, sometimes less than 50 grams per hectare. Soil analysis offers the clearest path—without it, applying sodium molybdate turns into guesswork.
Safety also comes from understanding irrigation routines. Sandy, fast-draining soils lose nutrients faster; clay-heavy patches cling to what’s applied a bit longer, letting you get away with lighter doses.
Tinkering with trace nutrients often gets less attention than splashy big-ticket fertilizers, but farmers and gardeners who’ve struggled with runty peas or sickly canola know how much rides on getting the dose right. Properly-applied sodium molybdate lets root nodules in legumes come to life and nitrate conversion runs smoothly, so plants stay healthy and yields stay high. Studies back this up—yield jumps of 15 to 30 percent aren’t rare in fields with previous molybdenum deficiency.
Right timing matters, too. Applying early in the growth stage—either at sowing or as young plants put out leaves—ensures copper and molybdenum nutrients arrive just as the plants need them. Spreading the dose across multiple light applications often works out safer than dumping it all at once, especially if you manage soils with unpredictable pH swings.
Working with sodium molybdate pays off when done thoughtfully. Regular soil tests, clear communication with extension agents, and using scales for measurement—not wild guessing—makes a difference. There’s no substitute for watching how your plants respond after applying and learning from each season. Responsible use supports healthy crops today and leaves soils in good shape for whatever you decide to plant next.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | sodium dioxido(dioxo)molybdenum |
| Other names |
Disodium molybdate Sodium molybdate dihydrate Sodium molybdate(VI) Sodium molybdate, anhydrous Sodium molybdate tetrahydrate |
| Pronunciation | /ˈsəʊdiəm məˈlɪbdeɪt/ |
| Preferred IUPAC name | sodium dioxido(dioxo)molybdenum |
| Other names |
Disodium molybdate Sodium molybdate dihydrate Disodium molybdate dihydrate Sodium molybdate(VI) |
| Pronunciation | /ˈsəʊdiəm məˈlɪbdeɪt/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 7631-95-0 |
| Beilstein Reference | 3598734 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:75956 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1201553 |
| ChemSpider | 162114 |
| DrugBank | DB14437 |
| ECHA InfoCard | 100.028.263 |
| EC Number | 231-551-7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 7248 |
| KEGG | C00705 |
| MeSH | D017762 |
| PubChem CID | 24849713 |
| RTECS number | OP2740000 |
| UNII | 1B63DHB4XY |
| UN number | UN3264 |
| CAS Number | 10102-40-6 |
| Beilstein Reference | 3858735 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:32599 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1201564 |
| ChemSpider | 22224 |
| DrugBank | DB14526 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 100.028.281 |
| EC Number | 231-551-7 |
| Gmelin Reference | 12338 |
| KEGG | C01773 |
| MeSH | D017791 |
| PubChem CID | 24849710 |
| RTECS number | OO8225000 |
| UNII | 9Q2ISS96TZ |
| UN number | UN3264 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | Na₂MoO₄ |
| Molar mass | 205.92 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 3.28 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Soluble in water |
| log P | -3.4 |
| Vapor pressure | Negligible |
| Acidity (pKa) | 8.2 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 6.9 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | -27.0 x 10^-6 cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.997 (20 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 0 D |
| Chemical formula | Na2MoO4 |
| Molar mass | 205.92 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline powder |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 3.28 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | Soluble in water |
| log P | -3.42 |
| Vapor pressure | Negligible |
| Acidity (pKa) | 8.2 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 8.1 |
| Magnetic susceptibility (χ) | −18.0×10⁻⁶ cm³/mol |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.584 |
| Viscosity | 10 cP (20 °C) |
| Dipole moment | 0 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 138.7 J K⁻¹ mol⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | −908.7 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | -789 kJ/mol |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 165.3 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -908.7 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | −953.0 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | V07CX10 |
| ATC code | V07CX06 |
| Hazards | |
| Main hazards | May cause respiratory irritation. Causes eye irritation. May cause kidney and liver damage. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS09 |
| Pictograms | GHS05,GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H272, H319 |
| Precautionary statements | P264, P270, P301+P312, P330, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | Health: 1, Flammability: 0, Instability: 0, Special: - |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 Oral Rat 2733 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (oral, rat): 2733 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | WP2375000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL: 5 mg/m³ |
| REL (Recommended) | 3-5 kg/ha |
| IDLH (Immediate danger) | Not listed |
| Main hazards | May cause respiratory irritation. Causes serious eye irritation. Causes skin irritation. |
| GHS labelling | GHS07, GHS09 |
| Pictograms | GHS05, GHS07 |
| Signal word | Warning |
| Hazard statements | H302: Harmful if swallowed. |
| Precautionary statements | P264, P270, P280, P301+P312, P330, P501 |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 2-0-0 |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 Oral Rat 2733 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | LD50 (oral, rat): 2733 mg/kg |
| NIOSH | WI2275000 |
| PEL (Permissible) | PEL (Permissible Exposure Limit) of Sodium Molybdate: "5 mg/m³ (as Mo) |
| REL (Recommended) | 30 - 60 |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Ammonium molybdate Calcium molybdate Potassium molybdate Molybdic acid Molybdenum trioxide |
| Related compounds |
Sodium tungstate Ammonium molybdate Molybdenum trioxide |
