Vitamin E phenolic hydroxyl groups on the benzene ring by acetylation, ester hydrolysis after phenol hydroxyl tocopherol. It is often mistaken for vitamin E is tocopherol is wrong.

　　Chinese name: vitamin E

　　Chinese alias: vitamin E;

　　Vitamin E, it is to point to have alpha tocopherol class of bioactive substances. T, the nature of the communist party of China has eight kinds: alpha beta - T, T, gamma delta T four tocopherol, alpha TT, beta TT, gamma TT, the delta - TT four triene phenol. Vitamin E is a fat-soluble vitamins (Vitamin E), soluble in fat and organic solvents such as ethanol.

　　Structure

　　Vitamin E is eight forms of fat-soluble vitamins, as an important antioxidant. Vitamin E include tocopherol and triene tocopherol 8 compounds of two types, namely, alpha, beta, gamma, delta tocopherol and alpha, beta, gamma, delta triene tocopherol, alpha tocopherol content is the most widely distributed in nature is the most abundant active highest form of vitamin E.

　　Biochemical reactions

　　Antioxidant effects of vitamin E, is very stable to acid, hot, the base is not stable, if the iron, lead salt or oil rancidity conditions, will accelerate its oxidative damage.

　　Molecular formula

　　Tocopherol, there are four main derivatives by methyl position is divided into alpha, beta, gamma and delta four. Tocopherol related compounds bearing triene phenol in substituent and activity is not certain, but the activity of tocopherol will decrease.