Iron(III) chloride dissolved in water it first dissociates into its ions

3+ −
𝐹𝑒𝐶𝑙3(𝑠) → 𝐹𝑒(𝑎𝑞) + 3𝐶𝑙(𝑎𝑞)

3+
Water then coordinates to 𝐹𝑒(𝑎𝑞) to form the aquo complex to give a GREEN solution
3+
𝐹𝑒(𝑎𝑞) + 6𝐻2 𝑂(𝑙) → [𝐹𝑒(𝐻2 𝑂)6 ]3+
(𝑎𝑞)

The chloride ion is still in solution but if precipitated out of solution a complex salt will be formed
[𝐹𝑒(𝐻2 𝑂)6 ]𝐶𝑙3(𝑠)

NOTE: WHEN TRANSITION METAL COMPLEXES UNDERGO REACTION IT OFTEN NOTICED WHEN
THERE IS A CHANGE IN COLOUR.
−
Adding some cyanide solution 𝐶𝑁(𝑎𝑞) to the green solution above, the colour of the solution
changes from green to purple.

[𝐹𝑒(𝐻2 𝑂)6 ]3+ − 3−

(𝑎𝑞) + 6𝐶𝑁(𝑎𝑞) → [𝐹𝑒(𝐶𝑁)6 ](𝑎𝑞) + 6𝐻2 𝑂

The colour change occurred because the cyano group displaced the water molecules and this
happened because 𝐶𝑁 − is a strong field ligand.

If you try to add 𝑁𝐻3 or 𝐻2 𝑂 to the purple solution so that they can displace the cyano groups in
[𝐹𝑒(𝐶𝑁)6 ]3− (𝑎𝑞) it would not happen and no colour change would be observed.

This is because the cyano groups are stronger field ligands than both ammonia and water, the just
cannot displace the cyano groups.