VERFAHREN ZUR HERSTELLUNG VON TOCOPHERYLACETAT ODER TOCOPHERYLPROPIONAT

1. A process for the preparation of tocopheryl acetate or tocopheryl propionate by reacting trimethylhydroquinone with phytol or isophytol in the presence of a proton donor and zinc chloride and of a liquid hydrocarbon as the solvent, and in the presence or absence of small amounts of a nitrogen base, esterifying the tocopherol obtained and working up the esterification mixture in a conventional manner to give tocopheryl acetate or tocopheryl propionate, wherein the mixture obtained in the reaction of trimethylhydroquinone with phytol or isophytol is cooled and then reacted with acetic anhydride or propionic anhydride at from 0 to 60 degrees C.