A metal cation M ^ x+ reacts with y molecules of ethylenediamine (en) and z chloride ions to form a neutral octahedral coordination complex. If this specific complex exhibits exactly 3 stereoisomers, what is the value of (x + y + z) ?

Step-by-step solution

The complex is octahedral, meaning its coordination number is 6. Since it is a neutral complex formed from neutral ethylenediamine (a bidentate ligand) and anionic Cl^- (a monodentate ligand), the possible formulas are [ M(en)₂Cl₂ ] and [ M(en)Cl₄ ] . For [ M(en)Cl₄ ] , there is only 1 stereoisomer as it cannot show geometrical or optical isomerism. For [ M(en)₂Cl₂ ] , there are two geometrical isomers: cis and trans. The trans-isomer has a plane of symmetry and is optically inactive (1 stereoisomer). The cis-isome