PROCESS FOR MANUFACTURING (ALL-RAC.)-.ALPHA.-TOCOPHEROL

摘要

A process for the manufacture of (all-rac.)-.alpha.-tocopherol by the acid- catalyzed condensation of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol or phytol is characterized by carrying out the condensation in the presence of a tris(perfluoroalkanesulphonyl or pentafluorobenzenesulphonyl)methane or a metal salt thereof as the catalyst in an organic solvent. In addition to said metal salt a Bronsted acid, e.g. sulphuric acid , phosphoric acid or p-toluenesulphonic acid, may be used as a co-catalyst. The product of the process is the most active member of the vitamin E group.