Abstract: Novel molybdenum oxycarbonitride compositions are described together with a general method of synthesis. The compositions can be obtained by the relatively low temperature thermal decomposition of an amine molybdate and can be amorphous, poorly crystalline, or substantially crystalline, and can unexpectedly possess high surface areas in the region of about 130 m.sup.2 /g and higher. The compositions have the general formula: MoO.sub.a C.sub.b N.sub.c, where a, b and c are non-zero decimal values and the sum: a+b+c, is less than or equal to about one, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction and chemical analyses. The compositions are useful as abrasives, as for removing oxide coatings from metals.

Abstract: Novel molybdenum oxycarbonitride compositions are described together with a general method of synthesis. The compositions can be obtained by the relatively low temperature thermal decomposition of an amine molybdate and can be amorphous, poorly crystalline, or substantially crystalline, and can unexpectedly possess high surface areas in the region of about 60 to 130 m.sup.2 /g and higher. The compositions have the general formula: MoO.sub.a C.sub.b N.sub.c, where a, b and c are non-zero decimal values and the sum: a+b+c, is less than or equal to about one, as evidenced by X-ray diffraction and chemical analyses. The compositions are useful as abrasives, as for removing oxide coatings from metals.