Regioselective O-acylation of myo-inositol 1,3,5-orthoesters: the role of acyl migration

An efficient and general method for the preparation of 2-O-acylated derivatives of myo-inositol 1,3,5-orthoesters via isomerization of the corresponding 4(6)-O-acylated derivatives has been described. The isomerization involves a novel 1(axial)→3(equatorial) intramolecular acyl migration assisted by a metal ion.