Oxidation of cellulose: The reaction of cellulose with periodic acid

Abstract

An investigation has been made of the mode of attack of cellulose by periodic acid during the early stages of the oxidation (that is, oxidation of approximately 1 percent of tb~ glucose residues). Under these conditions, it is shown that the reaction is confined to oxidation of the secondary hydroxyl groups to aldehyde groups, and results in a rupture in the carbon chain between carbon atoms 2 and 3 of the glucose unit. In accordance with this mechanism it is shown that two moles of aldehyde groups are produced for each mole of oxidant consumed. The aldehyde groups of the periodic acid-oxycellulose can readily be converted to carboxyl groups, titration of which provides an independent check on the content of the former.