The oxidation of the aldehyde groups in dialdehyde starch

This paper describes the difference in relative reactivity of the aldehyde groups present in dialdehyde starch towards different oxidising agents. The oxidation of dialdehyde starch with peracetic acid and sodium bromide leads to only partial oxidation to give mono-aldehyde-carboxy starch, while oxidation with sodium chlorite results in dicarboxy derivatives. In order to obtain a more in depth insight into this phenomenon, the products obtained after partial oxidation via both routes were isolated and characterised. The results showed a pronounced difference in preferences between the two carbonyl groups towards the different oxidising agents.