Rapid determination of molybdenum in ferromolybdenum and molybdenum additives, with oxine

A rapid method is presented for the gravimetric determination of molybdenum (as the oxinate) in ferromolybdenum and molybdenum additives. The sample is fused with a mixed flux of sodium peroxide and sodium carbonate in a zirconium crucible for complete decomposition. Leaching the cooled fusion cake with water provides instantaneous separation of molybdenum as sodium molybdate from iron(III) and other hydrous oxides. After filtration, the molybdenum is precipitated with oxine after addition of EDTA and oxalate to obviate interference from other metal oxinates, and determined gravimetrically. The precision and accuracy are comparable to those of referee methods.