The Chemistry of Myoinositol

The present state of the chemistry of myoinositol, a naturally occurring cyclitol, is discussed, with information on its sterochemistry, its physical and chemical properties, and the reactivity of the hydroxy-groups. The principal methods of preparation of various derivatives, in which the cyclitol structure is unaffected, are considered. Special attention is paid to phosphoric esters of myoinositol, which are structural units of inositol phosphatides, a most important class of naturally occurring phospholipids. Specific properties of the phosphoric esters are examined, together with problems of their stability and synthesis.
A list of 169 references is included.