PRODUCTS FORMED BY PHOTOSENSITIZED OXIDATION OF TOCOPHEROLS

Two isomers of primary products formed by methylene blue sensitized photooxidation of ^tocopherol were separated by thin layer chromatography. The products were characterized by UV, IR and NMR spectra and were identified to be 8aS- and 8aR-hydroperoxy o-tocopheryl dienones, respectively. On decomposition of the photooxidized a-, T- and -tocopherols, to- copheryl quinone and tocopheryl quinone epoxide were formed. The effect of hydroperoxy <5- tocopheryl dienone on methyl linoleate peroxidation was examined. The hydroperoxy dienone formed by the photooxidation of tocopherols did not accelerate lipid peroxidation. © 1979 Taylor & Francis Group, LLC.