alpha-Tocopherol

α-Tocopherol[1]
Names
IUPAC name
(2R)-2,5,7,8-Tetramethyl-2-[(4R,8R)-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)]-6-chromanol
Identifiers
ATC code A11HA03
59-02-9 Yes
ChEBI CHEBI:18145 Yes
ChEMBL ChEMBL47 Yes
ChemSpider 14265 Yes
DrugBank DB00163 Yes
EC number 200-412-2
Jmol-3D images Image
Image
PubChem 14985
UNII N9PR3490H9 Yes
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
Hazards
NFPA 704
Flammability code 1: Must be pre-heated before ignition can occur. Flash point over 93 °C (200 °F). E.g., canola oil Health code 1: Exposure would cause irritation but only minor residual injury. E.g., turpentine Reactivity code 0: Normally stable, even under fire exposure conditions, and is not reactive with water. E.g., liquid nitrogen Special hazards (white): no codeNFPA 704 four-colored diamond
1
1
0
Except where noted otherwise, data is given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C (77 °F), 100 kPa)
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Infobox references

α-Tocopherol is a type of tocopherol or vitamin E. It has E number "E307".

α-Tocopherol is a form of vitamin E that is preferentially absorbed and accumulated in humans.[2] The measurement of "vitamin E" activity in international units (IU) was based on fertility enhancement by the prevention of spontaneous abortions in pregnant rats relative to alpha-tocopherol.

There are three stereocenters in alpha-tocopherol, so this is a chiral molecule.[3] The eight stereoisomers of alpha-tocopherol differ in the arrangement of groups around these stereocenters. In the image of RRR-alpha-tocopherol, all three stereocenters are in the R form. However, if the middle of the three stereocenters were changed (so the hydrogen was now pointing down and the methyl group pointing up), this would become the structure of RSR-alpha-tocopherol. RSR-alpha-tocopherol and RRR-alpha-tocopherol are diastereomers of each other. These stereoisomers can also be named in an alternative older nomenclature, where the stereocenters are either in the d or l form.[4]

1 IU of tocopherol is defined as ⅔ milligrams of RRR-alpha-tocopherol (formerly named d-alpha-tocopherol or sometimes ddd-alpha-tocopherol). 1 IU is also defined as 1 milligram of an equal mix of the eight stereoisomers, which is a racemic mixture called all-rac-alpha-tocopheryl acetate. This mix of stereoisomers is often called dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate, even though it is more precisely dl,dl,dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate). However, 1 IU of this racemic mixture is not now considered equivalent to 1 IU of natural (RRR) α-tocopherol, and the Institute of Medicine and the USDA now convert IU's of the racemic mixture to milligrams of equivalent RRR using 1 IU racemic mixture = 0.45 "milligrams α-tocopherol".[5]

References

  1. ↑ Merck Index, 11th Edition, 9931.
  2. ↑ Rigotti A (2007). "Absorption, transport, and tissue delivery of vitamin E". Mol. Aspects Med. 28 (5–6): 423–36. doi:10.1016/j.mam.2007.01.002. PMID 17320165.
  3. ↑ Jensen SK, Lauridsen C (2007). "Alpha-tocopherol stereoisomers". Vitam. Horm. 76: 281–308. doi:10.1016/S0083-6729(07)76010-7. PMID 17628178.
  4. ↑ Brigelius-Flohé R, Traber MG (1 July 1999). "Vitamin E: function and metabolism". FASEB J. 13 (10): 1145–55. PMID 10385606.
  5. ↑ Composition of Foods Raw, Processed, Prepared USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference, Release 20 USDA, February 2008