Abstract: A tocopherol concentrate having a high tocopherol concentration can be obtained in a high yield by subjecting a deodorized distillate formed as a by-product at the step of deodorizing oils and fats to esterification of free fatty acids by addition of an alcohol or removal of free fatty acids by distillation and then to hydrogenation. A tocopherol concentrate can also be obtained by subjecting a deodorized distillate to esterification by addition of a polyhydric alcohol and then to distillation. Concentrates having a high concentration and a high quality can be obtained in a high yield with a good operation efficiency.

Abstract: Cyclopropenoid compounds such as malvalic and sterculic fatty acids found in sterculia oil are rearranged substantially quantitatively to conjugated dienes when heated in the presence of a rhodium catalyst. The dienes can thereafter be reduced to the corresponding branched chain derivatives by means of hydrogenation with the same catalyst. Both the diene and branched derivatives have application in the production of plastics, coatings, lubricants, soaps, cosmetics, and other commercial products.