What is the Difference Between Sodium Periodate and Sodium Metaperiodate?

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The key difference between sodium periodate and sodium metaperiodate lies in their valence states. Sodium periodate is a hypovalent compound, while sodium metaperiodate is a hypervalent compound.

Sodium periodate (NaIO4) is an inorganic compound with the chemical formula NaIO4. It can exist in two different forms: sodium metaperiodate (NaIO4) and sodium orthoperiodate (normally Na2H3IO6). Both salts are useful oxidizing agents. Sodium periodate is often used in solution to open saccharide rings between vicinal diols, leaving two aldehydes.

Sodium metaperiodate, also known as sodium m-periodate, is a mild oxidant routinely used for the conversion of cis-glycol groups in carbohydrates to reactive aldehyde groups. These reactive aldehyde groups can be used in chemical conjugation procedures or detection of carbohydrates. Sodium metaperiodate can be prepared by the dehydration of sodium hydrogen periodate with nitric acid.

In summary:

  • Sodium periodate is a hypovalent compound with the chemical formula NaIO4.
  • Sodium metaperiodate is a hypervalent compound and a derivative of sodium periodate.
  • Both compounds are useful oxidizing agents.
  • Sodium periodate can exist in two forms: sodium metaperiodate and sodium orthoperiodate.
  • Sodium metaperiodate is used for the conversion of cis-glycol groups in carbohydrates to reactive aldehyde groups.

Comparative Table: Sodium Periodate vs Sodium Metaperiodate

Here is a table comparing the differences between sodium periodate and sodium metaperiodate:

Property Sodium Periodate Sodium Metaperiodate
Chemical Formula NaIO4 NaIO4
Structural Formula Tetrahedral IO4- ion Linear IO4- ion
Appearance White crystalline solid White crystalline solid
Melting Point 319-322 °C 280-285 °C
Valence Hypovalent Hypervalent
preparation Oxidation of iodates with chlorine and sodium hydroxide Dehydration of sodium hydrogen periodate with nitric acid
Uses Oxidizing agent, scaffold for tissue engineering, drug delivery Special form of sodium periodate with different arrangements

Sodium periodate and sodium metaperiodate are both inorganic compounds with the chemical formula NaIO4, but they have different valence states and structures. Sodium periodate is a hypovalent compound, while sodium metaperiodate is a hypervalent compound.