Abstract: 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.degree. C. in the presence of a catalytic amount of an acidic ion exchange resin and subjecting the reaction mixture to catalytic hydrogenation.

Abstract: This invention relates to the dehydrogenation of a 3-.beta.-hydroxy steroid or a mixture of soy sterols to form the corresponding mixture of .DELTA.4-3-keto derivatives of phytosterols, the improvement which comprises dehydrogenating the said steroid or mixture of sterols using copper or palladium as the catalyst and in the presence of a dialkyl ketone solvent.

Abstract: This invention relates to the dehydrogenation of a 3-.beta.-hydroxy steroid or a mixture of soy sterols to form the corresponding mixture of .DELTA..sup.4 -3-keto derivatives of phytosterols, the improvement which comprises dehydrogenation of the steroid or mixture of sterols using a supported nickel catalyst and carrying out the dehydrogenation in the presence of at least two chemically different hydrogen acceptors. One such process uses a supported nickel catalyst and a dialkyl ketone, such as methyl ethyl ketone, and an olefin, such as 1-hexene, as the two different hydrogen acceptors.