Abstract
The present study is concerning a experimental investigation of the conditions in making vitamin A aldehyde from natural vitamin A oil. MnO_2 was employed in the process of oxidation of vitamin A alcohol, and the optimal raito of MnO_2 to vitamin A alcohol used in this reaction was found to be 20 : 1. No vitamin A aldehyde was produced in case of a lower raito of MnO_2 to vitamin A alcohol and the yield of vitamin A aldehyde showed to be not so higher in a higher raito of MnO_2 to vitamin A alcohol. No significant correlation was found between concentration of vitamin A alcohol treated with MnO_2 and yield of vitamin A aldehyde, although it was demonstrated that 1-2% concentration or vitamin A alcohol were suitable for the reaction. The optimum reaction temperature was indicated to be 20-25℃, and it was demonstrated that the reaction velocity increased at the reaction temperature of near to 30℃, but the yield decreased under the condition of such temperature. It was also demonstrated that the reaction does not readily go on in a lower temperature than in the optimum temperature. The maximum yield of vitamin A aldehyde was obtained within 5-10 days under conditions of 1-2% concentration of vitamin A alcohol, about 20℃ of the reaction temperature, and 20 : 1 in the raito of MnO_2 to vitamin A alcohol, having showed to be as high as 60-70%.
