Ferrate

[Vivian Leung 1C]

Hi everyone,

I just wanted to make sure: Would Iron in Coordination Compounds always be named "ferrate"? For instance, [Fe(CN)6]^4- would be called "hexacyanoferrate (II) ion" rather than "hexacyanoironate (II) ion" right?

[Alexandra Ahlschlager 1L]

Yes, you would use “ferrate” instead of “ironate” in coordination compounds when the overall charge of the compound is negative. However, if there is no charge or the compound is positive, you would just use “iron.” Hope this helps!

[Pranav Daggubati 3C]

Yes, and I believe this is true for the transition metals that have names derived from ancient greek (Fe, Cu, Ag, Au).

[Vivian Leung 1C]

I see. Thank you!

[Claire_Kim_2F]

If iron is not directly connected to the coordination compound is it considered iron or is it called ferrate if the coordination compound is negative?

[Pranav Daggubati 3C]

It depends on the charge of the overall coordination ion. If it is a positively charged ion, you use ferrate and not ironate. Negatively charge: use iron, not ironate or ferrate.

[DMaya_2G]

You would use "-ate" when the overall charge of the complex ion is an anion. Such as ferrate and cobaltate.

[Kaili Valenzuela 2B]

Such as Fe is derived from greek to make Ferrate here are some other examples that might be useful to memorize! :)
Cu= Cuprate, Pb=Plumbate, Au= Aurate, Sn=Stannate, Ag=Argentate