| abstract |
The present invention relates to a method for producing 2,3,5-trimethylhydro-p-benzoquinone, comprising the following steps: a) hydrogenating 2,6-dimethyl-p-benzoquinone with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in an organic solvent to form 2,6-dimethylhydro p-benzoquinone; b) reacting 2,6-dimethylhydro-p-benzoquinone with a secondary amine and formaldehyde in an organic solvent to form 2,6-dimethyl-3- (N, N-disubstituted aminomethyl) hydro-p-benzoquinone; c) reacting 2,6-dimethyl-3- (N, N-disubstituted aminomethyl) hydro-p-benzoquinone with hydrogen in the presence of a hydrogenation catalyst in an organic solvent to form 2,3,5-trimethyl-p-benzoquinone; wherein the organic solvent in all stages a), b) and c) is independently selected from the group comprising methyl tert-butyl ether, ethyl tert-butyl ether, methyl tert-amyl ether, methoxycyclopentane, and any mixtures thereof. Preferably, the organic solvent used in all stages a), b) and c) is the same solvent. |