The Action of Periodic Acid and its Salts on Wool

Abstract

Sulfur and nitrogen of periodate-oxidized wool as well as resulting oxidation compounds were investigated. It was found that sulfur content decreased gradually with oxidation. The greatest part of this decrease was found in solution either as sulfuric acid or as sulfur-containing proteinic products. Nitrogen content of wool is nearly unaffected by periodate treatment. Aldehyde oxidation products condense with amino groups of wool, as indicated by infrared spectroscopy. The acid-binding capacity of periodate-treated wool decreased with oxidation, most probably because of the blocking of free amino groups. The amide content as well as the base-binding capacity increase with oxidation. A reaction mechanism for periodate oxidation with wool is suggested.