The total synthesis of myo-inositol phosphates via myo-inositol orthoformate

Novel selective alkylations of myo-inositol orthoformate (4) have been used to prepare a series of protected myo-inositol derivatives, (5a–e), (7), (10), (12), and (16). These intermediates have been used in efficient total syntheses of myo-inositol 2-phosphate, (9); myo-inositol 4-phosphate, (6); myo-inositol 1,3-bisphosphate, (18); and myo-inositol 1,3,4,5-tetrakisphosphate (14). This report represents the first total synthesis of the important natural metabolites (14) and (18) and significantly improved methods of preparation of (6) and (9).