Asymmetric Synthesis and Biological Activity of nor‐α‐Tocopherol, a New Vitamin E Analogue

The vitamin E analogues (2R,4'R, 8'R)-nor-alpha-tocopherol (94 de) and (2RS,4'R,8'R)-nor-alpha-tocopherol have been synthesized from (all R)-hexahydrofarnesol and phytol, respectively. According to in vitro experiments with murine macrophages nor-alpha-tocopherol is an anti-inflammatory compound more potent than alpha-tocopherol.