Cuprammonium hydroxide

Description

Copper hydroxide dissolved in concentrated ammonia results in the formation of a copper ammonia complex copper. Discovered in 1857 by E. Schweizer, the dark blue solution is capable of dissolving cellulose. cotton, silk and linen. It has been used as a reagent test solution for wool, since wool does not dissolve. But more commonly, the reagent is used to dissolve cellulose. When a solution of cellulose in cuprammonium hydroxide is diluted with water or treated with dilute sulphuric acid, the cellulose is regenerated or reprecipitated. By using a spinnerette, filaments of this regenerated cellulose can be produced called Cupro fiber.

Synonyms and Related Terms

cupram; cuam; Schweitzer reagent; Schweizer's reagent

Risks

• NIH: Compound information

Resources and Citations

• Textile Library: Cuprammonium rayon