Molybdenum carbide belongs to the transition metal carbide, which is a family of interstitial compounds with metallic properties formed by carbon entering the crystal lattice of the transition metal.
Molybdenum carbide is a gray hexagonal crystal. It has the characteristics of high melting point and hardness, good thermal and mechanical stability and good corrosion resistance. The melting point is 2692°C. Insoluble in water and lye, slightly soluble in nitric acid, sulfuric acid and hydrofluoric acid.
Molybdenum carbide has a high initial catalytic activity in the benzene hydrogenation reaction. Although the catalyst gradually deactivates as the reaction progresses, its steady-state conversion frequency (TOF) is still comparable to that of noble metals Pt or Ru.
