α-Tocopherol
Chemical compound / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
α-Tocopherol (alpha-tocopherol) is a type of vitamin E. Its E number is "E307". Vitamin E exists in eight different forms, four tocopherols and four tocotrienols. All feature a chromane ring, with a hydroxyl group that can donate a hydrogen atom to reduce free radicals and a hydrophobic side chain which allows for penetration into biological membranes. Compared to the others, α-tocopherol is preferentially absorbed and accumulated in humans.
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Preferred IUPAC name
(2R)-2,5,7,8-Tetramethyl-2-[(4R,8R)-4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol | |
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ECHA InfoCard | 100.000.375 |
EC Number |
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E number | E307a (antioxidants, ...) |
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CompTox Dashboard (EPA) |
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Properties | |
C29H50O2 | |
Molar mass | 430.71 g/mol |
Appearance | yellow-brown viscous liquid |
Density | 0.950 g/cm3 |
Melting point | 2.5 to 3.5 °C (36.5 to 38.3 °F; 275.6 to 276.6 K) |
Boiling point | 200 to 220 °C (392 to 428 °F; 473 to 493 K) at 0.1 mmHg |
insoluble | |
Solubility | soluble in alcohol, ether, acetone, oils |
Pharmacology | |
A11HA03 (WHO) | |
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Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa).
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Vitamin E is found in a variety of tissues, being lipid-soluble, and taken up by the body in a wide variety of ways. The most prevalent form, α-tocopherol, is involved in molecular, cellular, biochemical processes closely related to overall lipoprotein and lipid homeostasis. Ongoing research is believed to be "critical for manipulation of vitamin E homeostasis in a variety of oxidative stress-related disease conditions in humans."[2] One of these disease conditions is the α-tocopherol role in the use by malaria parasites to protect themselves from the highly oxidative environment in erythrocytes.[3]