Patent ID: 6441199
Filing Date: 2002-08-27
Classification: C07D,Y02P

Abstract:
A process for the production of &agr;-tocopherol acetate in a recirculating process comprising:condensing trimethylhydroquinone and isophytol in the presence of a catalyst system comprising a zinc halide and an aqueous protonic acid and, optionally, an elemental metal, in a polar solvent/water mixture that is extractable or miscible with water, wherein: i) &agr;-tocopherol initially obtained in the condensation reaction is separated from an aqueous catalyst phase and esterfied with an accylating agent, ii) a solution of the catalysts obtained after working up by aqueous extraction is regenerated and the solution containing acetic acid is returned to the reaction, and iii) the mixture of catalysts comprising zinchalide and protonic acid is concentrated and reintroduced into the reaction in liquid form.