Spectroscopic Evidence for Photooxidation of Tocopherols in n-Hexane

This paper presents the results of an investigation into the photooxidation of tocopherols (Tocs) dissolved in argonated and non-argonated n-hexane. During irradiation, steady-state absorption and fluorescence spectra as well as lifetimes were measured. In all experiments, the photoreactions were of the first order type. The reaction rate was higher for all Tocs in argonated solvent. A new emission band with a maximum at 298 nm as well as new absorption and fluorescence bands beyond the 300 nm connected with charge-transfer (C-T) complexes for all Tocs appeared during the irradiation of γ- and δ-Toc. The above results indicate that the photooxidation process is very complex and that the observed phenomena strongly depend on the number and position of methyl groups in the chromanol ring.