Solubilization of dialdehyde cellulose by hot water

We found that dialdehyde cellulose (DAC) prepared by periodate oxidation of cellulose dissolves in hot water, and examined the extent of decomposition during solubilization. The degree of polymerization and aldehyde content of DAC did not show significant decreases during treatments of 80 °C for 4 h or 100 °C for 1 h, but underwent increasingly severe degradation at elevated temperatures and longer times. The aqueous DAC solution is possibly useful for mild aqueous processes utilizing aldehyde reactivity.