| abstract |
The invention relates to a process for the preparation of a hydroquinone compound of formula (I) wherein R2, R3, R5 and R6 have the meaning according to claim 1, with the steps of formylating a substituted phenol and oxidising the resulting substituted 4-hydroxy- benzaldehyde under acidic conditions to the corresponding hydroquinone of formula (I). Another object of the invention concerns the intermediate 2,3,5-trimethyl-4-hydroxy- benzaldehyde for synthesis of 2,3,5-trimethyl-hydroquinone (TMHQ) and (dl)alpha-tocopherol. |