[MasterMatt]

If you are given an empirical forumla, say FeCl₃*6H₂O and are asked to draw all isomers, how do you know what the geometry of the metal center is? Because, in this case, the inner sphere could be just the water ligands, and the outer sphere be ionically bonded chlorines. I know that you can draw the d molecular orbitals to see which geometry is most stable but doing that on an exam for a bunch of molecules would take way too much time.
Thanks!

[AWK]

"draw all isomers" means all possible isomers - forget about inner, outer and stability.
Take into account eventual cis, trans, fac, mer isomers

Start from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coordination_complex
 or your textbook

[dipesh747]

As its an empirical formula don't forget the about formation of dimers etc.

[AWK]

As its an empirical formula don't forget the about formation of dimers etc.

Show though one with formula FeCl₃*6H₂O

[dipesh747]

http://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2006/cp/b605200b

water is just a hydration shell, so I don't see why a dimer like this couldn't form.

[AWK]

But this is about Fe₂Cl₆ ,not hydrates.
Compare to B₂H₆