the rehydration of [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2](OH)2

[mevans]

in the lab where you make [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2](OH)2, you said that you could let this compound dry out and store it as a solid. I did this and was wondering how i could re dissolve this. Do i use distilled water or do i have to use aqueous ammonia to dissolve [Cu(NH3)4(H2O)2](OH)2 back into solution
Mevans

[thompson]

It'll dissolve in water. The ammonia used to prepare Schweizer's reagent forms a stable coordination complex with the copper ions.

If you're going to use it to process cellulose, use as little water as possible to dissolve the solid salt.