Precipitation of molybdenum from homogeneous solution by alpha-benzoinoxime

Abstract

There are two possible approaches to the precipitation of molybdenum from homogeneous solution by benzoinoxime. One involves the preparation of a derivative of benzoin which can be converted under either neutral or alkaline conditions to benzoinoxime. If free molybdenum is present in solution, complexation and deposition of the molybdenum-benzoinoxime complex will take place. The other approach involves the preparation of benzoinoxime in the presence of molybdenum. As soon as sufficient quantities of the complexing agent have been generated molybdenumbenzoinoxime complex deposition occurs. The former path was attempted first through synthesis of methylbensoinether and methylbenzoinetheraxime in hopes that the latter material could be converted to benzoinoxime under conditions which are to exist in a later precipitation procedure. It was found, however, tbat the methylbenzoinoxime does not deccmpose either under neutral or basic conditions. Under acidic conditions (which we do not want to use since an acidic procedure for the direct quantitative precipitation ot molybdenum by alpha-benzoinoxime is already on record) the methylbenzoinetheroxime is found to decompose into its components -- methylbensoinether and hydroxylamine [TRUNCATED]