Abstract: A process is disclosed for removing potassium from relatively impure molybdenum trioxide. The process involves contacting the impure molybdenum trioxide containing greater than about 600 weight parts potassium per million with a first acid leach which consists essentially of nitric acid and ammonium nitrate at a temperature of at least about 50.degree. C. for a sufficient time and at above a 2 molar concentration of said nitric acid and an ammonium nitrate concentration of from about 1.5 to about 2 molar in said first acid leach to solubilize the major portion of the potassium and form a once leached molybdenum trioxide containing the remaining portion of the potassium which is separated from the resulting potassium containing acid leach and contacted with a second leach solution substantially similar to the first acid leach followed by separating the resulting twice leached molybdenum trioxide from the resulting potassium containing second leach.