Molybdenum (Mo) is considered a 'sticky' element when it comes to measuring it via Inductively Coupled Plasma - Mass Spectrometry (ICP-MS) due to its ability to bind to the introductory system e.g. suction probe and peristaltic tubing, made of perfluoroalkoxy alkane (PFA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). This sees an underestimation of the Mo concentration in the initial samples run through the ICP-MS system as molybdenum accumulates before a progressive increase as Mo is leeched through into later samples. The most efficient/accurate way to counter this is to digest samples with trace hydrofluoric acid (HF) in nitric acid to complex the molybdenum. Due to safety concerns using HF, many opt to not use it and instead rely on adding HCl or fluoride salts of fluoroboric acid (HBF4) or ammonium fluoride (NH4F). These alternative halide salts are not capable of binding molybdenum to the same degree and so replicate samples carry large errors. The need to find something that will effectively complex molybdenum under acidic conditions with the same binding affinity as fluoride is a challenge. However, molybdenum has some ligands that complex specifically under these conditions; hydroxamic acids. Using salicylhydroxamic acid to complex molybdenum, accurate and reproducible measurements of molybdenum (and iron) digested from nitrogenase protein sample matrices can be obtained, with no evidence of 'stickiness'.