Tocopherol derivatives and uses thereof

A method for the synthesis of a compound of the formula

• where
• n is 9;
• R1 is hydrogen or a ter-butyl-dimethyl-silanyl group;
• and
• R2 is an imidazolyl group optionally substituted with a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or sec-butyl group, or a benzimidazolyl group optionally substituted with a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or sec-butyl group, said benzimidazolyl group being further optionally substituted on the aryl ring thereof with a hydroxy, methoxy, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or sec-butyl group;
• wherein the method comprises the steps of
• reacting (R)-9-(6-ter-butyl-dimethyl-silanyloxy)-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-2-yl)nonyl methansulfonate with imidazole, an imidazole optionally substituted with a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or sec-butyl group, a benzimidazole or a benzimidazole optionally substituted with a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or sec-butyl group, said substituted benzimidazole being further optionally substituted on the aryl ring thereof with a hydroxy, methoxy, methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl or sec-butyl group;
• optionally removing said ter-butyl-dimethyl-silanyl group;
• and
• recovering said compound.