PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING D,L-ALPHA-TOCOPHEROL

摘要

A process for the manufacture of d,l-.alpha.-tocopherol by the acid catalyzed condensation of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol comprises carrying out the condensation in the presence of at most 0.4 weight percent based on the weight of isophytol of sulphuric acid, methanesulphonic acid, ethanesulphonic acid, trifluoromethanesulphonic acid, p-toluenesulphonic acid or fluorosulphonic acid in ethylene or propylene carbonate or a mixture of both carbonates, or in a mixture of one or both of the carbonates and a non-polar solvent. The product of the process is the most active and industrially important member of the vitamin E group.