Random - 30-7-2013 at 14:39
I mixed excess of Ca(OH)2 with urea solution and left it for one day, then added CuSO4 to a very small amount of the solution to test for ammonia. No
tetramino copper complex was observed. Only pale blue color or small amount of copper hydroxide.
Why is urea having so hard time hydrolyzing in excess Ca(OH)2??
ElectroWin - 1-8-2013 at 08:33
the usual reason is you need to put some heat under this.
try heating this up to around boiling temperature
other possibilities:
* if the Ca(OH)2 was stale it will have absorbed CO2 from the air, forming CaCO3 which will not react.
* could be that Ca(OH)2 is only slightly soluble; if that's the case, adding some sugar will help.
[Edited on 2013-8-01 by ElectroWin]