227] Synthesis of vitamins E

Abstract

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses some well-established syntheses and detailed procedures for the synthesis of appropriate mono-, di-, and trimethylhydroquinones, and side-chain components, of tocopherols and tocotrienols, of tocopherol metabolites, and of related compounds (e.g., tocopheramines). The biologically most active and commercially most important tocopherol is α-tocopherol. Since the first syntheses of this compound in 1938, synthetic methods have gained extensive application and great importance in this field—for example, for the structural and stereochemical elucidation of the natural tocopherols and tocotrienols, for the technical production of α-tocopherol, and for the preparation of related and labeled compounds. For the synthesis of tocopherols, tocotrienols, and related compounds, appropriate terpene alcohols are required that can be obtained either from natural sources or by total and partial synthesis. The preparations of 14C- and tritium-labeled tocopherols and tocopheramines and of the tritium-labeled α-tocopherol metabolite are also described in the chapter.