Method for producing carotenoids

US7378558B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• BASF SE

Inventors

• Hansgeorg Ernst · Speyer, DE
• Klaus Henrich · Haßloch, DE
• Andreas Keller · Speyer, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 17, 2003
• Grant date: May 27, 2008
• Expiry date: Jun 25, 2025

Classification

• Technology area (CPC C): Chemistry; Metallurgy
• CPC primary: C07C69/734
• WIPO field: Organic fine chemistry
• WIPO sector: Chemistry

Abstract

A process for preparing carotenoids, in which the process includes reacting a dialkoxy dialdehyde in a double Wittig condensation with a phosphonium salt of or in a double Wittig-Horner condensation with a phosphonate. The carotenoids include, for example, β-carotene, zeaxanthin, canthaxanthin, astaxathin, lycopene and croceptin, which are useful as nutraceuticals, food colorants, and feed additives.