Question

For inorganic nomenclature, on what does the `"Stock system"` rely?

Answer 1

As far as I know the Stock system for inorganic nomenclature relies on the (quoted!) oxidation number.

Explanation:

The Stock system would assign the oxidation state of the transition metal in parentheses with Roman numerals: i.e. potassium permanganate, `K[MnO_4]`, would be potassium manganate(VII). So it apparently depends on oxidation number. Many chemistry lecturers wouldn't care what you called it, but would insist that you named it unambiguously (so simply writing `K[MnO_4]` is the best bet).

Note: The usage of `K[MnO_4]` is very rare, the more common name for this compound is potassium permanganate. This name for the compound does not require the use of brackets which are typically only used if the formula units for an ionic compound containing a polyatomic ion has 2+ units of the polyatomic.

The correct formula for potassium permanganate is: `KMnO_4`

Calcium permanganate would be: `Ca(MnO_4)_2`

Iron(III) permanganate would be: `Fe(MnO_4)_3`

Here is a bit more help with this concept.