2,2,5,7,8-Pentamethyl-6-chromanol is the suitable reagent used for the quantitative analysis of α-tocopherol by plasma-based gas chromatography/tandem mass spectrometry (GC/MS/MS) using a tabletop quadrupole ion trap mass spectrometer. It may be employed as α-tocopherol model compound and on oxidation by t-butyl hydroperoxide in chloroform, in the presence of alcohol, affords 5-alkoxymethyl-2,2,7,8-tetramethyl-6-chromanol. It may be used as internal standard for the determination of α- and γ-tocopherol in the rabbit serum and liver by HPLC.
2,2,5,7,8-Pentamethyl-6-chromanol has been reported as an vitamin E model compound. It undergoes oxidation in presence of various alcohols, ranging from methanol to cholesterol, affords 5-alkoxymethyl-2,2,7,8-tetramethyl-6-chromanols. Antioxidant moiety of vitamin E, 2,2,5,7,8-pentamethyl-6-chromanol (PMCol), is reported to have antiandrogen activity in prostate carcinoma cells.
