Conversion of non-alpha-tocopherols to alpha-tocopherols

摘要

A process for producing alpha-tocopherol from non-alpha-tocopherols comprising reacting the tocopherol with formaldehyde, carrying out the reaction at a temperature of at least about 175 DEG C. in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acidic ion exchange resin and subjecting the reaction mixture to catalytic hydrogenation.