Cuprammonium hydroxide
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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