MoCl4
Molybdenum chloride
Mo4+ balances chloride ions.
What Is the Charge of Molybdenum?
Molybdenum commonly forms Mo4+ Mo6+ in introductory ionic compounds.
Quick answer: Molybdenum usually has a common ionic charge of +4 or +6, written as Mo4+ or Mo6+.
| Element | Molybdenum |
|---|---|
| Symbol | Mo |
| Atomic number | 42 |
| Common ionic charge | +4, +6 |
| Common ions | Mo4+, Mo6+ |
Why Molybdenum has this charge
Molybdenum is a transition metal. Transition metals can have multiple charges, so compound names and roman numerals matter.
This is a classroom reference range, not an exhaustive list of all oxidation states.
Molybdenum charge examples
Mo2O3
Molybdenum oxide
Molybdenum can form oxides where total positive and negative charge balances.
FAQ
Is Molybdenum charge the same as oxidation state?
Ionic charge is the charge on an actual ion. Oxidation state is a bookkeeping number used inside compounds. They can match, but they are not always the same thing.
How do I use this in formulas?
Combine positive and negative ions so the total charge is zero. You can also use the ionic compound calculator.
Where can I see the full chart?
Use the periodic table with charges or the ionic charges chart.