Synthesis of α-tocopheryl oligosaccharides

As effective natural antioxidants, tocopherols and also their esters are frequently added to foodstuffs, pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. For increase of polarity, hence solubility in water, a series of α-tocopheryl oligosaccharides was synthesised using BF3-etherate. The pure α-tocopheryl β-maltotetraoside as well as the higher homologues proved to be water-soluble.