Synthesis of molybdenum (IV) sulphide: Part II. Reaction of molybdenum (VI) oxide with (a) zinc sulphide and (b) cadmium sulphide in the presence of ammonium chloride

Reactions of molybdenum (VI) oxide with (a) zinc sulphide and (b) cadmium sulphide were studied in the temperature range 723–973 K. Small amounts of mixtures of molybdenum (IV) sulphide and molybdenum (IV) oxide, which are difficult to separate, were produced. When ammonium chloride was added to the reactants, 89.1% pure MoS₂ at 773 K and 96.17% pure MoS₂ at 798 K were produced in the case of zinc sulphide and cadmium sulphide respectively.