Application
Ammonium molybdate serves as a versatile reagent in various chemical analyses, primarily employed for the determination of phosphorus. When dissolved in nitric acid, it facilitates the precipitation of phosphorus as ammonium phosphomolybdate, which forms upon drying. This compound is instrumental in the quantitative analysis of phosphates, silicates, arsenates, and lead ions in aqueous solutions. Beyond these applications, ammonium molybdate is also utilized in biological contexts, such as cryo-negative staining and electron microscopy, and plays a role in studying the crystallization of membrane proteins. It functions as a poison in some contexts and contains both ammonium and molybdate ions in a 2:1 ratio, showcasing its dual nature as a reagent and catalyst in various chemical processes.