Periodic acid can be used as a reagent for the oxidative cleavage of 1,2 diols to ketones or aldehydes, and epoxides to aldehydes. It is also used in the oxidative cleavage of various protecting groups such as acetonide, tetrahydropyranyl ether (THP), ethoxyethyl acetals, cyclic acetals, dithioacetals, and oxathioacetals.
It can also be used:

• In the selective N-nitrosation of secondary amines in the presence of sodium nitrite, and wet silica gel.
• As a stoichiometric oxidant with chromium (IV) acetate for the oxidation of tertiary C−H bonds to tertiary alcohols.
• In combination with chromium oxide to oxidize primary alcohols to carboxylic acids; alkylbenzenes to benzoic acids; and cyclic benzyl ethers to the corresponding lactones.
• In the iodination of bulky polyalkyl benzenes in the presence of iodine.
• In the oxidative coupling of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in the presence of aqueous acetic acid.
• In the selective oxidation of sulfides to sulfoxides using FeCl₃ as a catalyst.

Assay (iodometric): ≥ 98.0 %
Melting range (lower value): ≥ 124 °C
Melting range (upper value): ≤ 129 °C