Industrial grade 99% Sodium periodate CAS 7790-28-5

What is Sodium Periodate?

Sodium periodate, also known as sodium metaperiodate, is the sodium salt of periodic acid. It is one of the most important strong oxidizing agents in organic synthesis and analytical chemistry. Its chemical formula is usually written as:

NaIO4 (CAS No.: 7790-28-5, EINECS No.: 232-197-6, molecular weight approximately 213.89)

It is a white crystalline powder at room temperature, odorless, with a relative density of approximately 3.87. It decomposes at approximately 300℃, is soluble in water (approximately 9.5 g/100 mL in cold water, with even greater solubility in hot water), slightly soluble in dilute acids, and insoluble in most organic solvents. The iodine in sodium periodate is in its highest oxidation state (+7), making it a typical highly efficient strong oxidizing agent. It must be stored strictly away from organic matter and reducing agents.

From a molecular structure perspective, sodium periodate’s anion is periodate (IO4-), with the iodine atom in its highest oxidation state (+7), possessing a strong ability to fork electrons. This “highest oxidation state” characteristic endows it with unique oxidative selectivity: it can form a cyclic ester intermediate with vicinal diols (two adjacent hydroxyl groups), followed by oxidative cleavage, quantitatively breaking the vicinal diol into two molecules of aldehyde or ketone—this is the famous Malaprade reaction. Thanks to this “specific oxidative cleavage” capability, sodium periodate has become a core reagent for the structural analysis and identification of carbohydrates, glycerols, and vicinal diols.

Chemically, sodium periodate is a strong oxidizing agent. Mixing it with organic matter or reducing agents may cause violent reactions, even combustion or explosion. It is relatively stable on its own, but decomposes upon heating, releasing oxygen. It is irritating to the skin and eyes. Storage must be isolated from organic matter and reducing agents, and should be sealed, protected from light and moisture.

Industrial-grade sodium periodate refers to products used in industrial applications such as organic synthesis, starch oxidation , and analysis, with a purity generally above 99%. Compared to reagent-grade products, industrial-grade products place greater emphasis on the following indicators:

Content (Main Content)

Industrial grade generally requires a content of 99% or higher, as the content determines the yield and measurement accuracy of the oxidation reaction.

Water-insoluble matter

Low water-insoluble matter content is required to ensure clear solution and clean reaction system.

Chloride and other impurities

Impurities such as chlorides and bromates affect the specificity of oxidation reactions and must be controlled within standard limits.

Loss on drying

Loss on drying reflects moisture absorption and impurities, affecting storage stability and measurement accuracy.

Clarity

The aqueous solution should be clear, free of turbidity and insoluble matter, reflecting the purity of the product.

What are the uses of industrial-grade sodium periodate?

Industrial-grade sodium periodate, with its strong oxidizing power at its highest oxidation state and its specific oxidation ability towards vicinal diols, is widely used in synthesis, materials, and analysis.

1.Periodic acid oxidation (cure of vicinal diol, core application)

Sodium periodate is the core reagent of the Malaprade reaction, which can specifically oxidize and cleave vicinal diols into aldehydes or ketones. It is used in organic synthesis to construct ring-opening products of dicarbonyl compounds, epoxides, and complex molecular skeletons, and is an important oxidant in synthetic chemistry.

2.Production of dialdehyde starch (oxidized starch)

Sodium periodate selectively oxidizes the C2-C3 bonds of the glucose ring in starch to generate dialdehyde starch. Dialdehyde starch has the characteristics of high reactivity and good film-forming properties, and is used in textile sizing , modified materials , paper surface sizing agents and coating binders.

3.Cellulose oxidation and functional materials

Sodium periodate is used to oxidize cellulose to prepare dialdehyde cellulose, which is an important intermediate for preparing functional cellulose materials (such as crosslinking agents and adsorbents) and serves the field of new materials.

4.Analytical chemical reagents (Malaprade quantitative method)

Sodium periodate is a classic reagent for determining the content of compounds containing vicinal diol structures, such as glycerol, ethylene glycol, and sugars. It is used for volumetric and colorimetric analysis by utilizing the quantitative specificity of the Malaprade reaction and is a basic oxidizing reagent in analytical laboratories.

5.Osmium tetroxide co-oxidant

Sodium periodate is used as a co-oxidant of osmium tetroxide (OsO4) to oxidize and break down olefins under mild conditions, and is used for the transformation of olefin functional groups in organic synthesis.

6.Other Applications

With the development of functional materials, the application scope of industrial-grade sodium periodate continues to expand, including applications in modified starch food, catalysts, and chromatographic analysis reagents.

It is important to note that industrial-grade specifications do not equate to “risk-free”: Sodium periodate is a strong oxidizing agent, and may react violently or even burn and explode when mixed with organic matter or reducing agents. Handling must be carried out away from flammable materials and in a well-ventilated area; it is irritating to the skin and eyes, and protective equipment must be worn; it must be stored in a sealed, light-proof, and moisture-proof environment, away from organic matter.

Summarize

Sodium periodate (NaIO4, CAS No. 7790-28-5) is a white crystalline powder. Iodine is in its highest oxidation state (+7), making it one of the most important strong oxidizing agents. Its specific oxidative cleavage ability against vicinal diols via the Malapascade reaction makes it a core reagent in organic synthesis and analytical chemistry. In daily life, we indirectly encounter it through paper products and labels, textiles and clothing, food processing, testing and analysis services, and scientific research laboratories. In industry, industrial-grade sodium periodate with a purity of over 99% is widely used in the periodate oxidation of vicinal diols, the production of dialdehyde starch, cellulose oxidation, Malapascade quantitative analysis, and the co-oxidation of osmium tetroxide. It is a crucial oxidizing agent bridging “high-valent iodine chemistry” with “synthesis, materials, and analysis.”