Elements · ← Nb Niobium · Tc Technetium →
Molybdenum is essential for nearly all organisms as the core of several enzymes.
| Symbol | Mo |
|---|---|
| Atomic number | 42 |
| Standard atomic weight | 95.95 |
| Group | 6 |
| Period | 5 |
| Block | d-block |
| Category | Transition metal |
| Standard state | Solid |
| Discovered | 1778 |
Source: PubChem, Molybdenum (periodic table data, retrieved 2026-10-19). Group and period follow the standard 18-column periodic table.
Schwarz, Mendel and Ribbe reviewed molybdenum, essential for nearly all organisms and the catalytic centre of enzymes such as nitrogenase, nitrate reductases, sulphite oxidase and xanthine oxidoreductases, held in either an iron-molybdenum cofactor or pterin-based cofactors.
As reported in: Schwarz, Mendel, Ribbe (2009). Molybdenum cofactors, enzymes and pathways. Nature. doi:10.1038/nature08302
Abstract only
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