Process for the production of alpha-tocopherol esters

摘要

Preparation of alpha -tocopherol ester compounds (I) involves reacting a hydroquinone ester (II) with an allyl alcohol derivative (III) in presence of a zinc halide and an acid. Preparation of alpha -tocopherol esters (or derivatives or homologues) of formula (I) involves reacting a hydroquinone mono- (sic) or diester of formula (II) with an allyl alcohol derivative of formula (III) in presence of a zinc halide and a protonic acid at 25-100 degrees C. R1, R2 = optionally unsaturated 1-20C alkyl; R3-R5 = H or 1-3C alkyl; n = 0-5; Q = -C(Me)=CH-CH2L or -C(Me)(L')-CH=CH2; L = OH, halo, acetoxy, MeSO2O, EtSO2O, PhSO2O or toluenesulfonyl; L' = OH, halo or acetoxy.