Talk:Molybdopterin

Molecular formula (no Mo, please!)

If the molecule has no molybdenum in it, what is the Mo doing in the molecular formula? Norman Yarvin (talk) 23:35, 15 November 2009 (UTC)

Chemical names derive by historical developments. The Molecule was discovered when a molybdenum containing cofactor was broken down. The organic molecule became the name Molybdopterin, although it was the molecule without the molybdenum. The pterin which binds to molybdenum is a good way to put it.--Stone (talk) 06:16, 16 November 2009 (UTC)

You missed the point of the question. You gave the reason why there is "moly" in the name, but Norman asks why there's "Mo" in the emprical formula given here: "C10H10MoN5O6PS2". And indeed I can think of no reason it should be there. If there's no Mo in the structural formula, it's rather embarrassing to have it in the empirical formula, no? SBHarris 07:15, 16 November 2009 (UTC)

Sorry you are right! The Mo should go. We should have a look into the literature.--Stone (talk) 09:18, 16 November 2009 (UTC)

Here it is: http://pathway.gramene.org/META/NEW-IMAGE?type=COMPOUND&object=CPD-4. Empirical Formula: C10H11N5O6PS2 Molecular Weight: 392.32 daltons. I'll fix it. SBHarris 02:42, 17 November 2009 (UTC)