抄録
Kinetic studies of the antioxidant action of vitamin E derivatives have been carried out by means of stopped-flow spectroscopy and femtosecond spectroscopy. Both the electron transfer and the proton tunneling play important roles in the antioxidant reaction of vitamin E. The transition state has the property of the charge-transfer species. The proton tunneling takes place below the transition state. The tunneling allows the proton to cut a corner on the potential energy surface. Mechanism of the prooxidant reaction of vitamin E is also discussed.
