Used as a catalyst precursor in organic synthesis and polymerization reactions, particularly in olefin metathesis and alkyne cyclotrimerization. It serves as a source of molybdenum in the preparation of other organomolybdenum compounds. Also employed in materials science for chemical vapor deposition (CVD) processes to produce molybdenum-containing thin films, which have applications in electronics and coatings due to their thermal stability and conductivity. Its carbonyl ligands allow controlled release of carbon monoxide, useful in catalytic transformations.