Patent ID: 6452023
Filing Date: 2002-09-17
Classification: C07D

Abstract:
A process for making d,l-&agr;-tocopherol by acid-catalyzed condensation, the process comprising reacting trimethylhydroquinone with a phytol, which is selected from the group consisting of isophytol, phytol, and a mixture thereof in a carbonate, which is selected from the group consisting of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, a mixture of ethylene carbonate and propylene carbonate, a mixture of ethylene carbonate and a non-polar solvent, a mixture of propylene carbonate and a non-polar solvent, and a mixture of ethylene carbonate, propylene carbonate, and a non-polar solvent, in the presence of at most 0.4 weight percent, based on the weight of the phytol, of an acid catalyst, which is selected from the group consisting of 12-tungstophosphoric acid, 12-molybdophosphoric acid, and 12-tungstosilicic acid.