Preparation and calcium complexation of oxidized polysaccharides. II: Hydrogen peroxide as co‐reactant in the chlorite oxidation of dialdehyde glucans

A series of dialdehyde glucans (obtained from starch, cellulose and dextran by periodate glycol cleavage) were oxidized to the corresponding dicarboxy polysaccharides by the combined use of sodium chlorite and hydrogen peroxide (two moles of each per mole dialdehyde moieties). As compared to the conventional method (using six moles of chlorite), this new procedure ( i ) reduces oxidant costs by a factor of 2.5, ( ii ) avoids the evolution of toxic chlorine dioxide and ( iii ) more selectively yields dicarboxy polysaccharides of high molecular weight with excellent calcium complexing properties. The products thus obtained are potentially attractive co‐builders in phosphate‐free detergents.