Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of Grewe-diamine comprising the following step: hydrolyzing a compound of formula (II), wherein R is hydrogen or straight- or branched chain C1-4 alkyl, with an aqueous alkali or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide solution, characterized in that the hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a tocopheryl acylate which comprises reacting a tocopherol with an acylating agent in the presence of a solid basic catalyst comprising, an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal preferably on a solid carrier and to the use of such catalysts in the acylation of tocopherols.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of Grewe-diamine comprising the following step: hydrolyzing a compound of formula (II), wherein R is hydrogen or straight- or branched chain C1-4 alkyl, with an aqueous alkali or alkaline-earth metal hydroxide solution, characterized in that the hydrolysis is carried out in the presence of an organic solvent.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a tocyl acylate or a tocopheryl acylate comprises reacting tocol or a tocopherol with an acylating agent in the presence of a solid heterogeneous Brönsted acid catalyst, said catalyst being an inorganic Brönsted acid on a solid carrier material which comprises silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide or both silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide, or being an organofunctional polysilonaxe featuring sulpho groups, the solid heterogeneous Brönsted acid catalyst further featuring a BET surface area from about 10 m2/g to about 800 m2/g and a pore volume from about 0.1 ml/g to about 2.0 ml/g. The main commercial form of vitamin E, being (all-rac)-?-tocopheryl acetate, can be manufactured by acylation of (all-rac)-?-tocopherol according to this process.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for the manufacture of a tocopheryl acylate which comprises reacting a tocopherol with an acylating agent in the presence of a solid basic catalyst comprising, an alkali metal and/or alkaline earth metal preferably on a solid carrier and to the use of such catalysts in the acylation of tocopherols.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a tocyl acylate or a tocopheryl acylate comprises reacting tocol or a tocopherol with an acylating agent in the presence of a solid heterogeneous Brönsted acid catalyst, said catalyst being an inorganic Brönsted acid on a solid carrier material which comprises silicon dioxide, titanium dioxide or both silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide, or being an organofunctional polysilonaxe featuring sulpho groups, the solid heterogeneous Brönsted acid catalyst further featuring a BET surface area from about 10 m2/g to about 800 m2/g and a pore volume from about 0.1 ml/g to about 2.0 ml/g. The main commercial form of vitamin E, being (all-rac)-?-tocopheryl acetate, can be manufactured by acylation of (all-rac)-?-tocopherol according to this process.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a novel process for the manufacture of ?-tocopheryl acetate which comprises reacting 2,3,6-trimethylhydroquinone-1-acetate with a compound selected from the group consisting of phytol (formula IV with R?OH), iso-phytol (formula III with R?OH), and (iso) phytol derivatives represented by the following formulae III and IV with R?C2-to C5-alkonoyloxy, benzoyloxy, mesyloxy, bezenesul-fonyloxy or tosyloxy, (IV) in the presence of a catalyst of the formula Mn+(R1SO3?)n, wherein Mn+ is a silver, copper, gallium, hafnium or rare earth metal cation, n is the valence of the cation Mn+, and R1 is fluorine, C1-8-perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroaryl, and, if required, cyclizing any 3-phytyl-2,5,6-trimethylhydroquinone-1-acetate or a double bond isomer thereof obtained as an intermediate reaction product, to produce ?-tocopheryl acetate. In the catalyst Mn+ is preferably Ag+, Cu+, Ga3+, Sc3+, Lu3+, Ho3+, Tm3+, Yb3+ or Hf4+.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a novel process for the manufacture of tocol, tocol derivatives and tocopherols, especially ?-tocopherol, by the reaction of a hydroquinone featuring 0 to 3 methyl groups, especially 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone, with isophytol, phytol or a(n) (iso)phytol derivative, most preferably with isophytol, in the presence of gadolinium trifluoromethanesulfonate, Gd(OSO2CF3)3, as the catalyst in a biphasic solvent system. This biphasic solvent system consists essentially of a polar organic solvent and a non-polar organic solvent. The polar organic solvent is preferably ethylene carbonate and/or propylene carbonate. The non-polar solvent is preferably at least a solvent selected from the group consisting of hexane, heptane, octane, cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a novel process for the manufacture of ?-tocopheryl acetate which comprises reacting 2,3,6-trimethylhydroquinone-1-acetate with a compound selected from the group consisting of phytol (formula IV with R?OH), iso-phytol (formula III with R?OH), and (iso) phytol derivatives represented by the following formulae III and IV with R?C2-to C5-alkonoyloxy, benzoyloxy, mesyloxy, bezenesul-fonyloxy or tosyloxy, (IV) in the presence of a catalyst of the formula Mn+(R1SO3?)n, wherein Mn+ is a silver, copper, gallium, hafnium or rare earth metal cation, n is the valence of the cation Mn+, and R1 is fluorine, C1-8-perfluoroalkyl or perfluoroaryl, and, if required, cyclizing any 3-phytyl-2,5,6-trimethylhydroquinone-1-acetate or a double bond isomer thereof obtained as an intermediate reaction product, to produce ?-tocopheryl acetate. In the catalyst Mn+ is preferably Ag+, Cu+, Ga3+, Sc3+, Lu3+, Ho3+, Tm3+, Yb3+ or Hf4+.

Abstract: The present invention is concerned with a novel process for the manufacture of tocol, tocol derivatives and tocopherols, especially ?-tocopherol, by the reaction of a hydroquinone featuring 0 to 3 methyl groups, especially 2,3,5-trimethylhydroquinone, with isophytol, phytol or a(n) (iso)phytol derivative, most preferably with isophytol, in the presence of gadolinium trifluoromethanesulfonate, Gd(OSO2CF3)3, as the catalyst in a biphasic solvent system. This biphasic solvent system consists essentially of a polar organic solvent and a non-polar organic solvent. The polar organic solvent is preferably ethylene carbonate and/or propylene carbonate. The non-polar solvent is preferably at least a solvent selected from the group consisting of hexane, heptane, octane, cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane.