Sodium metaperiodate can be prepared by the dehydration of sodium hydrogen periodate with nitric acid. Na3H2IO6 + 2 HNO3 → NaIO4
Periodate oxidation is a highly specific reaction to convert 1,2-dihydroxyl (glycol) groups to paired aldehyde groups without significant side reactions and is widely used in structural analysis of carbohydrates
Sodium periodate can be used in solution to open saccharide rings between vicinal diols leaving two aldehyde groups. This process is often used in labeling saccharides with fluorescent molecules or other tags such as biotin.
Dissolve sodium periodate (NaIO4) (Sigma) in 500 ml of deionized water at a concentration of 0.03-M (6.42 g). Protect from light. 2. Dissolve dextran (Polysciences) of molecular weight between 10,000 and 40,000 in the sodium periodate solution with stirring.
