Abstract

A number of complexes have been synthesized with Cr(III), Al(III) and Fe(II) and oxidized lactose which has carboxyl and aldehyde groups. The complexes were characterized by various spectral and analytical techniques and, based on these data, appropriate structures were estimated for the complexes. Finally, these complexes were reacted with raw collagen under specified conditions and the hydrothermal stability of collagen determined by DSC. It was obvious that these complexes (defined as Rigid Matrices in leather manufacture) do improve the hydrothermal stability of collagen.