What is the IUPAC name for Ferrum?
Not only is ferrum where we get the symbol for iron it’s also the root for the words “ferric” and “ferrous” which ARE still in use today. Ferric refers to iron in the +3 oxidation state, and ferrous refers to iron in the +2 oxidation state. It would not be unusual to go into the stockroom and find a bottle labeled ferric chloride. Even though we teach our students the Stock system, it’s the chemical industry that persists in using these archaic names like ferrous nitrate, plumbic oxide, cobaltous chloride, and mercuric acetate, to name just a few.
