Photosensitized oxidation products of alpha-tocopherol were analyzed by reversed phase high-performance liquid chromatography (CL-HPLC) in combination with chemiluminescence detection, to measure hydroperoxide derivatives. An intense peak was observed on the chemiluminescence chromatogram, corresponding to 8a-hydroperoxy-alpha-tocopherone (alpha-tocopherol hydroperoxide), the identity of which was confirmed by 1H nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Observed peak intensities correlated with the peroxide value of oxidized alpha-tocopherol. As little as 50 pmol of 8a-hydroperoxy-alpha-tocopherone was detectable. The CL-HPLC method, which is specific for the detection of hydroperoxides, should prove useful in studies on tocopherol oxidation in foods and biological systems.