Alpha Tocopherol

Synonyms: Copherol F1300; ()-3,4-dihydro-2,5,7,8-tetramethyl-2-(4,8,12- trimethyltridecyl)-2H-1-benzopyran-6-ol; E307; RRR-a-tocopherolum; synthetic alpha tocopherol; all-rac-a-tocopherol; dl-a-tocopherol; 5,7,8-trimethyltoco

Description: Alpha tocopherol is a natural product. The PhEur 6.0 describes alpha-tocopherol as a clear, colorless or yellowish-brown, viscous, oily liquid

Chemical Name: (2RS,40 RS,80 RS)-2,5,7,8-Tetramethyl-2-(40 ,80 ,120 -trimethyltridecyl)-6-chromanol

Antioxidant; therapeutic agent.

Alpha tocopherol is primarily recognized as a source of vitamin E, and the commercially available materials and specifications reflect this purpose.

While alpha tocopherol also exhibits antioxidant properties, the beta, delta, and gamma tocopherols are considered to be more effective as antioxidants.

Alpha-tocopherol is a highly lipophilic compound, and is an excellent solvent for many poorly soluble drugs. Of widespread regulatory acceptability, tocopherols are of value in oil- or fat-based pharmaceutical products and are normally used in the concentration range 0.001–0.05% v/v.

There is frequently an optimum concentration; thus the autoxidation of linoleic acid and methyl linolenate is reduced at low concentrations of alpha tocopherol, and is accelerated by higher concentrations.

Antioxidant effectiveness can be increased by the addition of oil-soluble synergists such as lecithin and ascorbyl palmitate.

Alpha tocopherol may be used as an efficient plasticizer.

It has been used in the development of deformable liposomes as topical formulations.

d-Alpha-tocopherol has also been used as a non-ionic surfactant in oral and injectable formulations.

Tocopherols are incompatible with peroxides and metal ions, especially iron, copper, and silver. Tocopherols may be absorbed into plastic

Tocopherols are well tolerated, although excessive oral intake may cause headache, fatigue, weakness, digestive disturbance, and nausea. Prolonged and intensive skin contact may lead to erythema and contact dermatitis.
The use of tocopherols as antioxidants in pharmaceuticals and food products is unlikely to pose any hazard to human health since the daily intake from such uses is small compared with the intake of naturally occurring tocopherols in the diet

Observe normal precautions appropriate to the circumstances and quantity of material handled. Gloves and eye protection are recommended.

d-Alpha tocopherol; d-alpha tocopheryl acetate; dl-alpha tocopheryl acetate; d-alpha tocopheryl acid succinate; dl-alpha tocopheryl acid succinate; beta tocopherol; delta tocopherol; gamma tocopherol; tocopherols excipient