Abstract: The present invention relates to new organic compounds, to their synthesis as well as to their use in organic synthesis, especially in processes forming intermediates (building blocks) for the synthesis of vitamin A or ?-carotene or other carotenoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of manufacturing (6R,10R)-6,10,14-trimethylpentadecan-2-one in a multistep synthesis from a mixture of (5E,9E)-, (5E,9Z)-, (5Z,9E)- and (5Z.9Z)-isomers of 6,10,14-trimethylpentadeca-5,9,13-trien-2-one or 6,10,14-trimethylpentadeca-5,9-dien-2-one. The process is very advantageous in that it forms in an efficient way the desired chiral product from a mixture of stereoisomers of the starting product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of manufacturing (6R,10R)-6,10,14-trimetylpentadecan-2-one in a multistep synthesis from 6,10-dimetylundec-5-en-2-one or 6,10-dimetylundeca-5,9-dien-2-one. The process is very advantageous in that it forms in an efficient way the desired chiral product from a mixture of stereoisomers of the starting product.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of manufacturing compound having stereogenic centres from a mixture of E/Z isomers of unsaturated compounds having prochiral double bonds. The hydrogenation product has a specific desired configuration at the stereogenic centres. The process involves two asymmetric hydrogenation steps. The process is very advantageous in that it forms the desired chiral product from a mixture of stereoisomers of the starting product in an efficient way.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of 1,3,3-tri-methyl-2-(3-methylpent-2-en-4-ynyl)cyclohex-1-ene, highly enriched in the Z-isomer, and the use of such compounds in organic syntheses, especially in processes forming intermediates (building blocks) the synthesis of vitamin A or ?-carotene or other carotenoids, e.g. canthaxanthin, astaxanthin or zeaxanthin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-(3-methylpent-2-en-4-ynyl)cyclohex-1-ene, highly enriched in the Z-isomer, and the use of such compounds in organic syntheses, especially in processes forming intermediates (building blocks) the synthesis of vitamin A or ?-carotene or other carotenoids, e.g. canthaxanthin, astaxanthin or zeaxanthin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing tocotrienol quinones. It has been found that this process allows the formation of the R-isomer in a high yield in a very efficient and economically interesting way. Said process is particularly useful when implemented in an industrial process. Furthermore, it has been found that this process allows using isomer mixtures as they result from traditional industrial synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of production of a compound, which is useful as an intermediate (building block) in organic synthesis, especially in the synthesis of vitamin A or ?-carotene and derivatives thereof, e.g. canthaxanthin, astaxanthin or zeaxanthin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I) wherein R1 signifies a C1-C15 alkyl moiety or a C2 to C18 alkenyl moiety, to their process of production as well as to their use in organic synthesis, especially as intermediates (building blocks) in the synthesis of vitamin A or ?-carotene or derivatives thereof, or other carotenoids, e.g. canthaxanthin, astaxanthin or zeaxanthin, preferably vitamin A.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of 4-alkanoyloxy-2-methylbutanoic acid, as well as to the use of such compounds in organic syntheses, especially in processes forming intermediates (building blocks) for the synthesis of organic compounds comprising isoprene (isoterpene) units, such as ?-carotene or other carotenoids (e.g. canthaxanthin, zeaxanthin or astaxanthin) or as vitamin E or vitamin A as well as other structurally similar compounds.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of separating chiral isomers of chroman compounds, particularly tocopherols and tocotrienols as well as the esters and intermediates thereof. It has been found that this process allows a separation of the desired isomer with a higher yield and enables the use of the non-desired isomers in a very efficient way. Said process is particularly useful when implemented in an industrial process. Furthermore, it has been found that this process allows using isomer mixtures as they result from traditional industrial synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of production of a compound, which is useful as an intermediate (building block) in organic synthesis, especially in the synthesis of vitamin A or ?-carotene and derivatives thereof, e.g. canthaxanthin, astax-anthin or zeaxanthin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to new organic compounds, to their synthesis as well as to their use in organic synthesis, especially in processes forming intermediates (building blocks) for the synthesis of vitamin A or ?-carotene or other carotenoids.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved process for the production of 1,3,3-trimethyl-2-(3-methylpent-2-en-4-ynyl)cyclohex-1-ene, highly enriched in the Z-isomer, and the use of such compounds in organic syntheses, especially in processes forming intermediates (building blocks) the synthesis of vitamin A or ?-carotene or other carotenoids, e.g. canthaxanthin, astaxanthin or zeaxanthin.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of 2,3,5-trimethyl-hydro-p-benzoquinone comprising the following steps: a) hydrogenating 2,6-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in an organic solvent to obtain 2,6-dimethyl-hydro-p-benzoquinone; b) reacting 2,6-dimethyl-hydro-p-benzoquinone with a secondary amine and formal-dehyde in an organic solvent to obtain 2,6-dimethyl-3-(N,N-disubstituted aminomethyl)-hydro-p-benzoquinone; c) reacting 2,6-dimethyl-3-(N,N-disubstituted aminomethyl)-hydro-p-benzoquinone with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst in an organic solvent to obtain 2,3,5-trimethylhydro-p-benzoquinone; wherein the organic solvent in all steps a), b) and c) is independently selected from the group consisting of methyl tert.-butyl ether, ethyl tert.-butyl ether, methyl tert.-amyl ether, methoxycyclopentane and any mixtures thereof. Preferably the organic solvent used in all steps a), b) and c) is the same.

Abstract: Isomerization of ?-keto-allenes of the general formula I wherein R1 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, in particular hydrogen or methyl; R2 is hydrogen or methyl; R3 is hydrogen or methyl, in particular methyl and R4 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon residue containing 1-37 carbon atoms, into corresponding ?,?-dienones of formula II by treatment with a basic ion exchange resin.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of preparing tocotrienol quinones. It has been found that this process allows the formation of the R-isomer in a high yield in a very efficient and economically interesting way. Said process is particularly useful when implemented in an industrial process. Furthermore, it has been found that this process allows using isomer mixtures as they result from traditional industrial synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process of separating chiral isomers of chroman compounds, particularly tocopherols and tocotrienols as well as the esters and intermediates thereof. It has been found that this process allows a separation of the desired isomer with a higher yield and enables the use of the non-desired isomers in a very efficient way. Said process is particularly useful when implemented in an industrial process. Furthermore, it has been found that this process allows using isomer mixtures as they result from traditional industrial synthesis.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a process for the manufacture of 2,3,5-trimethyl-hydro-p-benzoquinone comprising the following steps: a) hydrogenating 2,6-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in an organic solvent to obtain 2,6-dimethyl-hydro-p-benzoquinone; b) reacting 2,6-dimethyl-hydro-p-benzoquinone with a secondary amine and formal-dehyde in an organic solvent to obtain 2,6-dimethyl-3-(N,N-disubstituted aminomethyl)-hydro-p-benzoquinone; c) reacting 2,6-dimethyl-3-(N,N-disubstituted aminomethyl)-hydro-p-benzoquinone with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenolysis catalyst in an organic solvent to obtain 2,3,5-trimethylhydro-p-benzoquinone; wherein the organic solvent in all steps a), b) and c) is independently selected from the group consisting of methyl tert.-butyl ether, ethyl tert.-butyl ether, tert.-amyl ether, methoxycyclopentane and any mixtures thereof. Preferably the organic solvent used in all steps a), b) and c) is the same.

Abstract: Isomerization of ?-keto-allenes of the general formula I wherein R1 is hydrogen, methyl or ethyl, in particular hydrogen or methyl; R2 is hydrogen or methyl; R3 is hydrogen or methyl, in particular methyl and R4 is an aliphatic hydrocarbon residue containing 1-37 carbon atoms, into corresponding ?,?-dienones of formula II by treatment with a basic ion exchange resin.