Practical synthesis of all inositol stereoisomers from myo-inositol

Synthesis of six inositol stereoisomers was successfully carried out via co nduritol intermediates prepared from myo-inositol. Dihydroxylation and epox idation followed by ring opening of the conduritol B, C and F derivatives g ave epi-, allo-, muco-, neo-, DL-chiro- and scyllo-inositol. The cis-inosit ol derivative, which may not be prepared by this approach, was synthesized in 5 steps via 2-O-benzoyl-myo-inositol orthoformate as the key intermediat e. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.