Nanosecond flash photolysis of α-tocopherylquinone

Abstract

The photochemistry of α-tocopherylquinone has been investigated by the nanosecond flash photolysis technique. In ethanolic solution, the decay of two transient absorptions in the region of 490 nm is observed while, in the 400 nm region, a rapid decay followed by a slow build-up of a long-lived absorption is apparent. Only one transient species was observed in the region of 490 nm following laser photolysis in liquid paraffin solution. The possible nature and mode of formation of the various transient species observed is discussed.