When a small quantity ammonium hydroxide is added to a solution of copper sulphate, a whitish-blue precipitate of copper hydroxide is formed. Upon addition of excess ammonium hydroxide, the precipitate dissolves and an inky-blue solution of tetramine copper sulphate is formed.
NH4OH ⇌ NH3 + H2O
Cu2+ + 4NH3 → [Cu(NH3)4]2+