Abstract: The present invention relates to a novel process for the manufacture of alkenylated aromatic compounds featuring at least one hydroxy group, their ring-closure reactions to chroman derivatives, as well as the acylation of the latter and the aromatic compounds featuring at least one hydroxy group themselves. The present invention relates especially to a process for the manufacture of tocol, tocopherols and their alkanoates such as ?-tocopherol (TCP) and alkanoates (TCPA) thereof, preferably ?-tocopheryl acetate (TCPAc). The processes of the present invention are characterized in that at least one step of the processes is carried out in the presence of an indium salt as the catalyst. Thus, an object of the present invention is the use of an indium salt as the catalyst in Friedel-Crafts alkylation reactions of aromatic compounds featuring at least one hydroxy group and ring-closure reactions of the latter to produce chroman-ring compounds in organic solvents.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for converting trimethylhydroquinone diacetate (TMHQ-DA) into trimethylhydroquinone-1-monoacetate (TMHQ-1-MA) by contacting TMHQ-DA with a lipase to effect an enzymatic monosaponification of the TMHQ-DA. Also provided are methods of making (all-rac)-&agr;-tocopherol and (all-rac)-&agr;-tocopherol acetate.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of (all-rac)-&agr;-tocopherol by the catalyzed reaction of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol or phytol is characterized by carrying out the reaction in the presence of hydrogen tris(oxalato)phosphate, or an adduct thereof with a solvent, as the catalyst in an organic solvent. The product of the process is the most active and industrially most important member of the vitamin E group.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of (all-rac)-&agr;-tocopherol by the catalyzed reaction of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol or phytol is characterized by carrying out the reaction in the presence of hydrogen tris(oxalato)phosphate, or an adduct thereof with a solvent, as the catalyst in an organic solvent. The product of the process is the most active and industrially most important member of the vitamin E group.

Abstract: The present invention is a process for converting trimethylhydroquinone diacetate (TMHQ-DA) into trimethylhydroquinone-1-monoacetate (TMHQ-1-MA) by contacting TMHQ-DA with a lipase to effect an enzymatic monosaponification of the TMHQ-DA. Also provided are methods of making (all-rac)-&agr;-tocopherol and (all-rac)-&agr;-tocopherol acetate.

Abstract: A method of making (all-rac.)-&agr;-tocopherol by the acid-catalyzed condensation of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol or phytol wherein the condensation is carried out in the presence of a tris(perfluoroalkanesulphonyl or pentafluorobenzenesulphonyl)methane or a metal salt thereof as the catalyst in an organic solvent. In addition to the metal salt, a Bronsted acid, e.g. sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid or p-toluenesulphonic acid, may be used as a co-catalyst. The product of the method of making is the most active member of the vitamin E group.

Abstract: A method of making (all-rac.)-&agr;-tocopherol by the acid-catalyzed condensation of trimethylhydroquinone with isophytol or phytol wherein the condensation is carried out in the presence of a tris(perfluoroalkanesulphonyl or pentafluorobenzenesulphonyl)methane or a metal salt thereof as the catalyst in an organic solvent. In addition to the metal salt, a Bronsted acid, e.g. sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid or p-toluenesulphonic acid, may be used as a co-catalyst. The product of the method of making is the most active member of the vitamin E group.

Abstract: A method of producing .alpha.-tocopherol from non-.alpha.-tocopherols is disclosed. In the disclosed method, non-.alpha.-tocopherols are hydroxymethylated and reduced to .alpha.-tocopherol in a single step by reacting formaldehyde or a formaldehyde-producing compound with the non-.alpha.-tocopherol under catalytic reducing conditions in a reaction mixture containing the non-.alpha.-tocopherol, formaldehyde or formaldehyde-producing compound and boric acid or a boric acid-producing compound dispersed in a solvent of an azeotropic mixture of trimethyl borate and methanol and a non-polar organic solvent.