The invention relates to the field of preparation and use of tocopherols and protected tocopherols.

Background of the invention

Tocopherols are important substances in the field of food and feed ingredients. It is already known for a long time that tocopherols are part of vitamin E and show an important bioactivity. In order to increase the stability of tocopherols the phenolic hydroxyl group can be protected, particularly as acetate. The protected tocopherol can be easily produced from the corresponding tocopherols and deprotected again easily into the tocopherol on demand, for example in a body of an animal or a human being. It is known that tocopherols and protected tocopherols comprise small amount of impurities. One important impurity is a phenolic compound based on a structural element of 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-ol, respectively protected 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5- ol. The European Pharmacopoeia, 5 ^th edition, 2005, Supplement 5.3, page 3631 - 3633 defines this impurity as impurity B for (a/Z-racj-a-tocopherol, respectively for (a/Z-racj-a-tocopheryl acetate. The maximum limit for this impurity defined therein is 1 .5 % for ('a//-racj-a-tocopherol as well as for (all- racj-a-tocopheryl acetate. It is therefore desirable to have a concentration below said limit, and to lower the level of impurity further, respectively even to eliminate this impurity completely.

Vegetable oils and fats often have undesired strong odors and colors and, hence, refinement is necessary to have an acceptable quality for the consumption by animals or humans. This refinement involves different purification steps of which bleaching is the most prominent step. It is known since a long time that bleaching earths are efficient in the refinement of edible oils and fats. Bleaching earths are also known as bleaching clays. It was found that for certain purposes, bleaching earths may be modified by the treatment with strong acids and that those acid-treated bleaching earths, which are also known as acid activated bleaching earths, exhibit a better performance in the bleaching. However, it is known, for example from J. Am. Oil Chem. Soc (201 1 ) 88: 127-132, that the level of tocopherols being present in the oil to be refined is remarkably reduced by the bleaching step and that the adsorption of the tocopherols on the bleaching clays is regarded as reason for this. Therefore, tocopherols are often added to edible oils and fats to increase the level of tocopherols again in order to stabilize those oils against further oxidative deterioration such as disclosed in US 4,101 ,673.

FR 962 797 discloses that tocopherols can be obtained from different vegetable oils. It further discloses a method of purifying and/or separation of tocopherols from such sources by means of an adsorbent being clay, kaolin or silica gel. In this method first the tocopherol is adsorbed from a highly diluted solution in a non-polar solvent onto the adsorbent, preferably in a column, and, hence, is separated from the rest of the sourcing composition. In a second step the adsorbed tocopherol is then extracted from the adsorbent by percolating by means of another solvent being more polar. By using different solvents alpha and gamma tocopherols can be separated from each other and isolated from a mixture or concentrate as they result from natural vegetable oil sources. However, this purification is very expensive as it requires a large amount of adsorbent as well as of different solvents and is not suitable for being used for large quantities and highly concentrated forms of tocopherols as they result from chemical synthesis.

The need for tocopherol on the world's market is extremely large, and, therefore, the major part of commercially available tocopherols is synthesized from petrochemicals and is not originating from bio-sources. These syntheses yield tocopherol in neat form or in very highly concentrated solutions having impurity based on a impurity of phenolic compound based on a 2,3- dihydrobenzofuran-5-ol or a protected form thereof.

Summary of the invention

The problem to be solved by the present invention is to reduce the level of the impurity of phenolic compound based on a 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran- 5-ol, respectively protected phenolic compound based on a 2,3- dihydrobenzofuran-5-ol, structure element, particularly of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) as defined below which exists in highly concentrated forms of tocopherols or protected tocopherols, respectively.

Surprisingly, it has been found that the method according to claim 1 is able to solve this problem. Particularly contacting the tocopherol or the protected tocopherol, respectively, with acid activated bleaching earth leads to a remarkable reduction of said impurity.

It is particularly surprising that exactly acid activated bleaching earths are suitable for this purpose in consideration of the fact that it is known that such adsorbing material exactly adsorbs in preference the product to be treated, i.e. the tocopherols.

The method is very efficient and easy and allows producing tocopherols or protected tocopherols (e.g. tocopheryl acetates), in high quality, thus, this method is very attractive to producers of vitamin E and to the market. It was particularly found that the amount of said impurity the phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) can be reduced by more that 40% by weight, preferably by more than 45 % by weight, even more preferably by more than 60 % by weight. Particularly, it has been found that the content of said impurity can be reduced below 0.6 %, particularly below 0.3 %, more particularly below 0.2 % by weight based on tocopherols or protected tocopherols of formula (I).

Further aspects of the invention are subject of further independent claims. Particularly preferred embodiments are subject of dependent claims.

Detailed description of the invention

The present invention relates in a first aspect to a method of preparing a tocopherol or a protected tocopherol of formula (I) with a reduced content of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) comprising the step of contacting tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I), in the form of neat tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) or in the form of a solution comprising more than 60 % by weight of tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I), with an acid activated bleaching earth

methyl groups;

R ² represents hydrogen or a phenol protection group;

and wherein each ^* represents an individual chiral centre;

and wherein each # represents an individual chiral centre;

with the proviso that the chiral centres indicated by # have either both the

R configuration or both the S configuration.

The term "independently from each other" in this document means, in the context of substituents, moieties, or groups, that identically designated substituents, moieties, or groups can occur simultaneously with a different meaning in the same molecule.

A "Cx-y-alkyl" or "C _x-y -acyl" group is an alkyl or an acyl group, respectively, comprising x to y carbon atoms, i.e., for example, a Ci-3-alkyl group is an alkyl group comprising 1 to 3 carbon atoms. The alkyl group or acyl group can be linear or branched.

The term "hydrogen" means in the present document H and not H ₂ .

R ² represents hydrogen or a phenol protection group. A phenol protection group is a group which protects the phenolic group (OH in formula (I)) and can be deprotected easily, i.e. by state-of-the-art methods, to the phenolic group again.

When the term "tocopherol of formula (I)" is used in this document the compound of formula (I) having hydrogen as R ² is meant. When the term "protected tocopherol of formula (I)" is used in this document the compound of formula (I) having a protection group as R ² is meant.

When the term "tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I)" is used in this document the compound of formula (I) having a hydrogen or a protection group as R ² is meant.

The phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) carries the same groups R ¹ , R ² , R ³ and R ⁴ as the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I). For example, if formula (I) has the groups R ¹ = R ⁴ = CH ₃ , R ³ = R ² = H, then also formula (II) has the groups R ¹ = R ⁴ = CH ₃ , R ³ = R ² = H.

The chirality at the carbon centres indicated by # in the formulae of this document is so that the chiral centres indicated by # have either both the R configuration or have both the S configuration. Hence, the phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) has either formula (ll-a) or (ll-b).

The chirality at the individual chiral centres indicated by ^* of the phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) correspond accordingly also to the chirality at the individual corresponding chiral centres of the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I).

The phenol protection group forms with the rest of the molecule a chemical functionality which is particularly selected from the group consisting of ester, ether or acetal. The protection group can be easily removed by standard methods known to the person skilled in the art.

In case where the phenol protection group forms with the rest of the molecule an ether, the substituent R ² is particularly a linear or branched CMO- alkyl or cycloalkyl or aralkyl group. Preferably the substituent R ² is a benzyl group or a substituted benzyl group, particularly preferred a benzyl group.

In case where the phenol protection group forms with the rest of the molecule an ester, the ester is an ester of an organic or inorganic acid.

If the ester is an ester of an organic acid, the organic acid can be a monocarboxylic acid or a polycarboxylic acid, i.e. an acid having two or more COOH-groups. Polycarboxylic acids are preferably malonic acid, succinic acid, glutaric acid, adipic acid, maleic acid or fumaric acid.

Preferably the organic acid is a monocarboxylic acid.

Hence, the substituent R ² is preferably an acyl group. The acyl group is particularly a Ci _-7 -acyl, preferably acetyl, propionyl or benzoyl group, or a substituted benzoyl group.

If the ester is an ester of an inorganic acid, the inorganic acid is preferably nitric acid or a polyprotic acid, i.e. an acid able to donate more than one proton per acid molecule, particularly selected from the group consisting of phosphoric acid, pyrophosphoric acid (=diphosphoric acid), phosphorous acid (=phosphonic acid) , sulphuric acid and sulphurous acid. In case where the phenol protection group forms with the rest of the molecule an acetal, the substituent R ² is referabl

Hence, the acetals formed are preferably methoxymethyl ether (MOM- ether), β-methoxyethoxymethyl ether (MEM-ether) or tetrahydropyranyl ether (THP-ether). The protection group can easily be removed by acid. In the present document any dotted line represents the bond by which a substituent is bound to the rest of a molecule.

The tocopherol of formula (I) is reacted with a protecting agent to yield a protected tocopherol of formula (I).

The protecting agents leading to the corresponding phenol protection groups are known to the person skilled in the art, as well as the chemical process and conditions for this reaction. If, for example, the phenol protection group forms with the rest of the molecule an ester, the suitable protecting agent is for example an acid, an anhydride or an acyl halide.

In the case that an ester is formed by the reaction of tocopherol of formula (I) with a protecting agent, and that said ester is an ester of an organic polycarboxylic acid or an inorganic polyprotic acid, not necessarily all acid groups are esterified to qualify as protected tocopherols of formula (I) in the sense of this document. Preferable esters of inorganic polyprotic acids, corresponding to protected tocopherols of formula (I), are tocopheryl phosphates and ditocopheryl phosphates, particularly a-tocopheryl phosphate and a-ditocopheryl phosphate.

It is preferred that the protection group is a benzoyl group or a Ci _-4 -acyl group, particularly acetyl group. The molecules in which R ² represents an acyl group, particularly an acetyl group, can be easily prepared from the corresponding tocopherol of formula (I) by esterification, conversely, the phenolic compound can be obtained from the corresponding ester by ester hydrolysis.

It is mostly preferred that R ² is H.

As the phenolic compound of formula (II) is present in tocopherol of formula (I), the phenolic compound of formula (II) will also be protected by the same protecting group as the corresponding tocopherol when the tocopherol of formula (I) is converted to protected phenolic compound of formula (II) by the reaction with the protecting agent.

The tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) is contacted with an acid activated bleaching earth. Acid activated bleaching earth

The term "bleaching earth" (German: "Bleicherde") is known to the person skilled in the art to be a collective name for a group of aluminium and/or magnesium silicates comprising water (Rompp, Lexikon der Chemie, Bleicherde, 10. Auflage, Stuttgart, 1996, page 469). Particularly suitable bleaching earths are attapulgite, bentonite and montmorillonite.

"Acid activated bleaching earths" are bleaching earths which are treated by strong mineral acids. This acid treatment leads to ion exchange in the bleaching earth. Due to this ion-exchange, i.e. acid activation, the properties of the bleaching earths are strongly modified.

The acid activated bleaching earth is preferably an acid activated bentonite. Particularly suitable are acid activated bleaching earths which are commercialized under the trademark TONSIL® by Sud-Chemie.

In a further embodiment the acid activated bleaching earths are those commercialized as activated clays F-20 and F-20X by BASF.

The acid activated bleaching earth has preferably a specific surface area (BET) between 150 and 400 m ² /g, preferably between 250 and 375 m ² /g, more preferably between 300 and 350 m ² /g. The specific surface area is measured according to the method BET (Brunauer, Emmett und Teller) which is a commonly known method for determination of surface areas of solid particles by physical adsorption of gas, particularly as described in ISO 9277.

Particularly a 10 % by weight suspension in water has a pH of between

1 .5 and 5, preferably between 1 .5 and 4, measured at 25°C and after filtration.

The acidity of the acid activated bleaching earth, measured as mg KOH/g, is preferably in the range of 0.1 to 22, more preferably in the range of

0.2 to 21 , even more preferably in the range of 0.3 to 20.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the acid activated bleaching earth has after drying at 1 10°C during 2 hours a residual amount of CaO of less than 1 .5

% by weight, particularly between 0.001 and 0.8 % by weight.

Particularly suitable are the products of the trademark TONSIL® SUPREME such as TONSIL® SUPREME 1 10 FF, TONSIL® SUPREME 1 12 FF, TONSIL® SUPREME 1 14 FF, TONSIL® SUPREME 1 15 FF and TONSIL® SUPREME 1 18 FF and TONSIL® Optimum 210 FF allowing a fast separation, particularly a fast filtration. Furthermore suitable are the products sold as activated clays F-20 and F-20X by BASF. It has been observed that TONSIL® SUPREME 1 15 FF, activated clay F-20, and F-20X are particularly suitable for the purpose of the present invention.

Acid activated bleaching earths are very interesting in view of toxicological aspects. Acid activated bleaching earths are particularly suitable for the treatment of food and feed ingredients, since for a long time already, acid activated bleaching earths are used on an industrial scale for the treatment of vegetable oils and fats. The acid activated bleaching earths can also be easily removed completely from the tocopherols.

Tocopherol of formula (I) is a known product as such and is part of vitamin E. It can be produced in different ways as disclosed in Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Release 2010, 7 ^th Edition, "Vitamins", pages 43 - 47 or in WO 2005/054223 A2.

The preferred route of synthesis is the condensation of the corresponding methyl-, dimethyl- or trimethylhydoquinone of formula (III) with phytol or isophyt

For this condensation a series of catalysts may be used such as ZnC^/mineral acid, BF3/AICI3, Fe/HCI, trifluoroacetic acid or boric acid/carboxylic acid as well as indium (III) or scandium (III) salts as disclosed in WO 2005/121 1 15 A1 . Furthermore suitable catalysts are heteropoly acids, particularly 12-tungstophosphoric or 12-tungstosilicic acid. Said reactions are not stereospecific and, hence, a mixture of isomers of tocopherol of formula (I) is obtained. This is reflected by the use of the ^* in the formulae of this document. Due to the fact that there are 3 chiral centres in compounds formula (I) there exist 8 individual isomers. Such a product being a mixture of R- and S- configuration at each chiral centre (2, 4' and 8') indicated by ^* in this document is also called (a//-rac)-tocopherol or (a//-rac)-tocopheryl acetate (in case the phenol protection group is an acetyl group).

In view of industrial interest and volume of production it is preferred that tocopherol of formula (I) is (a//-rac)-tocopherol, particularly (a//-rac)-a- tocopherol and that the protected tocopherol of formula (I) is (all-rac)- tocopheryl acetate, particularly (a//-rac)-a-tocopheryl acetate.

Since the different isomers have different bioactivity it is in the interest to synthesize specifically a desired isomer having high bioactivity. (2R, 4'R, 8'R)-tocopherol isomers have shown to exhibit a particularly high bioactivity. There exist such stereoselective syntheses which yield to either specific isomers or mixtures with less isomers only. For example, natural phytol can be used for the above synthesis. Natural phytol consists only of the R,R-isomer and, hence, is isomerically pure. Therefore, the above reaction leads to a mixture of (2R, 4'R, 8'R)-tocopherol and (2S, 4'R, 8'R)-tocopherol, also known as 2-a/7ii o-tocopherol. However, as natural phytol, or isophytol, is commercially available only in rather small amounts and is rather expensive, the potential of using natural phytol, or isophytol, for industrial scale synthesis of tocopherols is rather limited.

Is has been found, however, that by using specific chiral iridium complexes, asymmetrical hydrogenation of alkenes can be achieved. The chiral iridium complexes disclosed in WO 2006/066863 A1 as well as in the pending application EP1 1 169784.3 are particularly suited for this purpose. The entire content of both WO 2006/066863 A1 and EP1 1 169784.3 is hereby incorporated by reference. By this use of asymmetrical hydrogenation 2-ambo- tocopherol can be obtained, the isomers of which can be separated much more easily, more efficiently and particularly in a much more cost effective way than isomeric mixtures obtained by traditional processes. Therefore, it is preferred in another embodiment that the tocopherol of formula (I) is a mixture of (2R, 4'R, 8'R)-tocopherol and (2S, 4'R, 8'R)- tocopherol or that the protected tocopherol of formula (I) is a mixture of (2R, 4'R, 8'R)-tocopheryl acetate and (2S, 4'R, 8'R)-tocopheryl acetate.

More preferred, the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) is

(2R, 4'R, 8'R)-tocopherol or (2R, 4'R, 8'R)-tocopheryl acetate.

Most preferred, the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) is (2R, 4'R, 8'R)-a-tocopherol or (2R, 4'R, 8'R)-a-tocopheryl acetate. Preferred are the following combinations of R ¹ , R ³ and R ⁴ :

R ¹ = R ³ = R ⁴ = CH ₃

or

R ¹ = R ⁴ = CH ₃ , R ³ = H

or

R ¹ = H, R ³ = R ⁴ = CH ₃

or

R ¹ = R ³ = H, R ⁴ = CH ₃

Most preferred is the combination R ¹ = R ³ = R ⁴ = CH ₃ .

Therefore, preferably the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) is selected from the group consisting of a-tocopherol, a-tocopheryl acetate, β-tocopherol, β-tocopheryl acetate, γ-tocopherol, γ-tocopheryl acetate, δ- tocopherol and δ-tocopheryl acetate, particularly α-tocopherol or a-tocopheryl acetate.

It is preferred that only one type of tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I), is present when the contacting with the acid activated bleaching earth is performed. In other words it is preferred that no mixtures of different tocopherols or protected tocopherols with different groups R ¹ , R ³ and R ⁴ , particularly no mixtures comprising α-tocopherol and γ-tocopherol or no mixtures comprising a-tocopheryl acetate and γ-tocopheryl acetate, are contacted with acid activated bleaching earth.

A key element of the present invention is the interaction of acid activated bleaching earth with the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) in the form of neat or in form of highly concentrated solution of tocopherol or protected tocopherol. This interaction requires a physical contact of the tocopherol or the protected tocopherol with the acid activated bleaching earth. It is desired that the contact is thorough. Hence, any possibility allowing a thorough contact between the surface of the acid activated bleaching earth with the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) can be principally used.

A preferred possibility for such a thorough contact, which is particularly suitable for the purpose of the invention, is when the contacting is realized by adding the acid activated bleaching earth to the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) and stirring. This leads to a suspension of acid activated bleaching earth in a liquid phase comprising the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I). This can be realized in a continuous or in a batchwise manner in a stirred tank or loop reactor or a cascade of those reactor types.

There exist also other possibilities of contacting. The contact with the acid activated bleaching earth can be realized for example by a flow of the tocopherol or the protected tocopherol over the acid activated bleaching earth being immobilized on a carrier such as a plate or a wall or by a flow through a column filled with acid activated bleaching earth. In order to increase the time of contact between activated bleaching earth and the tocopherol or the protected tocopherol it is advisable to use a flow in a continuous loop. However, it has been observed that particularly the use of a fixed bed reactor is disadvantageous as the contact is not sufficient enough to allow an industrially effective process at an acceptable pressure drop.

It is preferred that the contacting is performed under inert conditions, particularly under nitrogen. Furthermore, it has been shown that the contact is particularly efficient when the contacting is done at elevated temperature, particularly at a temperature of between 80 and 160 °C, preferably between 100 and 150°C.

It is further preferred that the time of contact is between 30 and 300 minutes, preferably between 45 and 180 minutes, more preferably between 60 and 120 minutes.

Particularly preferred is when the contact is realized at an absolute pressure of 0.01 - 1013 mbar, preferably 10 - 500 mbar, more preferably 20 - 200 mbar.

The step of contacting can be realized in a continuous or in a batch process. It has been observed that it is preferred that the weight ratio of acid activated bleaching earth to tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) is between 0.5 / 100 and 5 / 100, particularly is between 1 / 100 and 3 / 100, preferably between 1 / 100 and 2 / 100. For example, using 5 g acid activated bleaching earth per 100 g tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) leads to a weight ratio of acid activated bleaching earth to tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) of 5 / 100.

The tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) is contacted as such, i.e. in the form of neat tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I), or in the form of a solution comprising more than 60 %, preferably more than 90 %, particularly more than 95 %, by weight of tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I), with the acid activated bleaching earth. For the solution a non-polar solvent, particularly selected from the group consisting of hexane, heptane, xylene and toluene is preferred.

The use of solvents to yield a solution is advantageous in view of lowering the viscosity of the tocopherol or the protected tocopherol of formula (I). A lower viscosity enables a better contact, particularly at lower temperatures and an easier and faster separation from the acid activated bleaching earth.

As the method of invention focuses particularly to tocopherols and protected tocopherols originating from chemical synthetic processes, any solution should also not comprise any triglycerides or any fatty acids, particularly as they occur in vegetable oils.

In the case where the method relates to the protected tocopherol of formula (I) there exist two major possibilities in the sequences of steps.

In one embodiment of the invention the tocopherol of formula (I) is first reacted with the protecting agent to yield the protected tocopherol of formula (I) and then contacted with the acid activated bleaching earth. In another embodiment of the invention the tocopherol of formula (I) is first contacted with the acid activated bleaching earth and then reacted with the protecting agent to yield the protected tocopherol of formula (I).

The latter of these two embodiments just mentioned is more preferred as it leads to a lower amount of free tocopherol in the final product, (the protected tocopherol of formula (I)) due to ester cleavage.

After contacting of the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) with an acid activated bleaching earth the acid activated bleaching earth is separated from the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) in a further step. The separation can be achieved for example by filtering off the acid activated bleaching earth after the contacting or by centrifugation.

Reduction of amount of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II)

The present invention leads to tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) with a reduced content of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II). The amount of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) is reduced particularly at least by 40 %, particularly at least 45 %, preferably at least 50 %, more preferably at least 60 %, by weight compared to the amount of the corresponding phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) measured in tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) which has not been contacted with acid activated bleaching earth ("comparative tocopherol or comparative protected tocopherol'). It is important to stress that this definition relies on the comparison of two tocopherols or protected tocopherols of formula (I) being synthesized and treated in a completely identical manner except that the step of contacting tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) with an acid activated bleaching earth has not been performed for the comparative tocopherol or protected tocopherol.

It has been observed that a variety of parameters have a more or less pronounced effect on the degree of reduction of the amount of the phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II), such as temperature, pressure, time of contacting or origin of starting materials.

The amount of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) can be determined by gas chromatography.

Particularly the amount of phenolic compound of formula (I) is measured by means of a gas chromatograph (Agilent, model 6850) using an autosampler, a FID detector and a column HP Ultra 2 (Crosslinked 5 % phenylsilanol, 95 % methylsilanol; length 25 m, 0.32 mm internal diameter, 0.52 μιτι film) and the following parameters: carrier gas: H ₂ , constant flow: 2.5ml/min, injector temperature: 280°C, injection volume: 1 .0 μΙ, temperature program: 180°C to 280°C rate 20.0 °C/min, detector temperature: 300°C. The sample was injected as a solution of 4 mg/ml in heptane.

In case of cis-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2,3- dihydrobenzofuran-5-ol, the peak at a retention time of 1 1 .4 minutes was identified to be cis-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltndecyl)-2,3- dihydrobenzofuran-5-ol.

The amount was determined by calibration with an authentic reference substance to be detected, such as cis-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12- trimethyltridecyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-ol.

Particularly the amount of protected phenolic compound of formula (II) is measured by means of a gas chromatograph (Agilent, model 6850) using an autosampler, a FID detector and a column HP Ultra 2 (Crosslinked 5 % phenylsilanol, 95 % methylsilanol; length 25 m, 0.32 mm internal diameter, 0.52 μιτι film) and the following parameters: carrier gas: H ₂ , constant flow: 2.5ml/min, injector temperature: 280°C, injection volume: 1 .0 μΙ, temperature program: 180°C to 280°C rate 20.0 °C/min, detector temperature: 300°C. The sample was injected as a solution of 4 mg/ml in heptane.

In case of cis-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2,3- dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl acetate, the peak at a retention time of 12.5 minutes was identified to be cis-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2,3- dihydrobenzofuran-5- yl acetate.

The amount was determined by calibration with an authentic reference substance to be detected, such as cis-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12- trimethyltridecyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5- yl acetate.

With the method of invention, a residual amount of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) of < 0.6 % by weight, particularly < 0.3 % by weight, based on the weight of tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) can be easily achieved. Within the range indicated above, by using a higher weight ratio of acid activated bleaching earth to tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) it has been found that the residual phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) is even below 0.20 %. By further optimizing the present method, it is possible to reduce the amount of this impurity even further, so that the residual amount of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) is even below 0.15 %. In a preferred embodiment, a residual amount of impurity B (according to Eur. Pharmacopoeia) of < 0.6 % by weight, particularly < 0.3 % by weight, preferred < 0.20 % by weight, more preferred < 0.15 % by weight, based on the weight of ('a//-rac)-a-tocopherol, respectively of ('a//-rac)-a-tocopheryl acetate is achieved.

Furthermore, it has been found that also after long-term-storage of several months (up to 9 months) at a temperature of 25°C or 40°C the amount of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) remains at this low level and particularly does not increase.

Finally, it is also important to stress that this method does not need any additive which needs to remain continuously in the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) which eventually would restrict the possible fields of applications of the tocopherols or protected tocopherols because of toxicological doubts or limitations of such an additive. The current method, however, has no such limitations and is therefore optimal for using tocopherols or protected tocopherols in pharma, food or feed applications. In a further aspect the invention relates to the use of an acid activated bleaching earth for the purification of tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) in the form of neat tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I), or in the form of a solution comprising more than 60 % by weight of tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I). The tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) has been already described above in detail.

Accordingly, also the tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) with a reduced content of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II), respectively, prepared by the method as described above, represents a further aspect of the current invention.

The tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) can be used in different fields. Preferably it can be used in the field of pharma or food or feed. Therefore, particularly the process of preparing a food or feed composition with a reduced content of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) comprising the steps of

a) preparing a tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) with a reduced content of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) as described above;

and

b) adding tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) with a reduced content of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) yielding from step a) to at least one dietary supplement or food or feed ingredient; as well as a food or feed prepared according to the described process represent two further aspects of the present inventions.

Therefore, particularly the process of preparing a pharmaceutical composition with a reduced content of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) comprising the steps of

a) preparing a tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) with a reduced content of phenolic compound or protected phenolic compound of formula (II) as described above;

and

b') adding tocopherol or protected tocopherol of formula (I) yielding from step a) to at least one pharmaceutical ingredient;

as well as a pharmaceutical composition being prepared according to the described process represent two further aspects of the present invention. Examples

Comparative example Ref. 1.

In a cascade of 3 stirred vessels, a stream of 100 kg/h of (all-rac)-cn- tocopherol was fed and stirred at 140 °C and at an absolute pressure of 50 mbar. The mean residence time in the 3-reactor cascade was 90 minutes.

100 kg of the so treated (a//-rac)-a-tocopherol was rectified over a distillation column and subsequently esterified by adding 72.3 kg acetic anhydride and 0.65 kg pyridine at total reflux (atmospheric pressure) to form (a//-rac)-a-tocopheryl acetate. After distilling off the excess of acetic anhydride, pyridine, and the acetic acid the (a//-rac)-a-tocopheryl acetate was further rectified over a rectification column (sump temperature = 275°C).

The content of all-rac-c/s-2, 3,4,6, 7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltri- decyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl acetate in the comparative (all-rac)-o- tocopheryl acetate Ref. 1, obtained by this manner, was measured within one day after preparation using the method indicated below.

Example 1

In the same cascade of 3 stirred vessels, as used for the comparative example Ref.1, to a stream of 100 kg/h of (a//-rac)-a-tocopherol, as used for comparative example Ref.1, continuously 1 .6 kg/h of TONSIL® SUPREME 1 15 FF was added and stirred at 140 °C and at an absolute pressure of 50 mbar. At the exit the acid activated bleaching earth was continuously filtered. The mean residence time for the contacting in the same cascade of 3 vessels was 90 minutes.

100 kg of the so purified (a//-rac)-a-tocopherol was rectified in a column, esterified and rectified identically to the comparative example Ref.1 to yield (a//-rac)-a-tocopheryl acetate. Except the contacting with the acid activated bleaching earth, the example 1, hence, has been prepared identically as the comparative example Ref. 1.

The content of all-rac-c/s-2, 3,4,6, 7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltri- decyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl acetate in (a//-rac)-a-tocopheryl acetate of example 1, obtained by this manner, was measured within one day after preparation using the method indicated below.

Quantification of all-rac-c/s-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12-thmethylthdecyl) - 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl acetate

The amount all-rac-c/s-2, 3,4, 6, 7-pentamethyl-2-(4, 8,12-trimethyltri- decyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl acetate is measured by means of a gas chromatograph (Agilent, model 6850) using an autosampler, a FID detector and a column HP Ultra 2 (Crosslinked 5 % phenylsilanol, 95 % methylsilanol; length 25 m, 0.32 mm internal diameter, 0.52 μιτι film) and the following parameters: carrier gas: H ₂ , constant flow: 2.5ml/min, injector temperature: 280°C, injection volume: 1 .0 μΙ, temperature program: 180°C to 280°C rate 20.0 °C/min, detector temperature: 300°C. The sample was injected as a solution of 4 mg/ml in heptane. The peak maximum of all-rac-c/s-2, 3,4, 6, 7- pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofur an-5-yl acetate was detected a retention time of 12.5 minutes. The amount was determined by calibration with an authentic reference substance of all-rac-c/s-2, 3,4,6, 7-penta- methyl-2-(4,8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5- yl acetate. Storage of samples Ref. 1 and 1 & Results:

A sample of 2 liters each of Ref.1 and 1 has been taken and filled under argon into separate flasks and sealed under argon. An analytical sample has been taken from the 2 liter samples before filling and the amount of all-rac- c/s-2, 3,4,6, 7-pentamethyl-2-(4, 8,12-trimethyltridecyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5- yl acetate therein has been determined (storage time: 0 month).

Half of the flasks containing Ref.1 or 1 have been stored at 25°C and 65 % relative humidity, and the other half at 40°C and 75 % relative humidity. After 1 month, 3 months, 6 months and 9 months of storage under these conditions, one flask each was taken out of the storage and an analytical sample has been taken and the amount of therein has been determined accordingly.

The values obtained are given in tables 1 and 2. Content of

all-rac-c/ ^' s-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12-thmethylth- decyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl acetate [% by weight] in the sample after storage at 25 °C / 65 % relative humidity after

0 month 1 month 3 months 6 months 9 months

Ref. 1 0.27 n.d. ¹ 0.20 0.20 0.23

1 0.10 n.d. ¹ 0.10 0.10 0.10

Reduction by 63% n.d. ¹ 50% 50% 57%

Table 1 . Amounts of all-rac-c/ ^' s-2,3,4,6J-pentamethyl-2-(4,8 2-trimethyltridecyl)- 2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl acetate during long term storage at 25°C. 1 n.d.= not determined

Table 2. Amounts of all-rac-c/ ^' s-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8, 12-trimethyltridecyl)-

2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl acetate during long term storage at 40°C.

The results of table 1 and 2 show that a ('a//-rac _/ )-a-tocopheryl acetate with a strongly reduced amount of all-rac-c/s-2,3,4,6,7-pentamethyl-2-(4,8,12- trimethyltridecyl)-2,3-dihydrobenzofuran-5-yl acetate can be obtained by the method of the invention.