HYDROXYMETHYLATION OF TOCOPHEROL

摘要

Conversion of non- alpha -tocopherols (A) into alpha -tocopherols (B) by reaction of at least one (A) with formaldehyde (C) or a derivative in the presence of boric acid or a derivative under catalytic reducing conditions comprises use of an azeotropic trimethyl borate (D1) /methanol (D2) mixture (D) as combined solvent and catalyst, in addition to a non-polar organic solvent (E).