Complexometric determination of molybdenum(VI)

In acidic medium molybdenum(VI) forms a stable complex on boiling with excess of DCTA and hydroxylamine hydrochloride. Molybdenum can then be determined by back-titration of the excess of DCTA either with zinc chloride at pH 5-5.5 or with thorium nitrate at pH 3-4.5, Xylenol Orange being used as indicator in both cases. A simple method for the determination of molybdenum in the presence of moderate amounts of tungsten is also described.