Studies of the reactivity of trolox with Mn3+/Fe3+ complexes by pulse radiolysis

Abstract

The rates and mechanisms for the reactions between Trolox (6-hydroxy-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-carboxylic acid), a synthetic analogue of α-tocopherol, Br₁⁻ and Mn³⁺-phosphate were determined under aerobic and anaerobic conditions by fast kinetic methods. In addition, the reaction between Fe(OH)₂⁺ and Trolox at pH 6.0 was shown not to occur under the conditions of the experiment, leading to a limiting rate for that reaction of k < 10³M⁻¹s⁻¹. These results are compared to studies of the reactivity of Trolox with HO₂/O₂⁻ and are discussed in light of the known antioxidant properties of vitamin E.