Desymmetrization of 4,6-diprotected myo-inositol

The asymmetric desymmetrization of 4,6-diprotected myo-inositol derivatives was achieved by using a bifunctional, readily available nucleophilic catalyst. The orthogonally protected products were obtained in 80-99% yield with 90-99% ee. Such structures serve as potential enantiopure building blocks for the synthesis of myo-inositol phosphates.