Synthesis of (±)-trans-cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol derivatives from myo-inositol

Abstract
Myo-Inositol 8 has been converted to biscyclohexylidene ketals 9–11. The inseparable mixture of isomers 9 and 11 has been utilised as such to obtain the synthetically useful (±)-trans-cyclohexa-3,5-diene-1,2-diol derivative 24 via the intermediates 14 and 15. The trans-diol derivative 24 has also been converted to synthetically useful epoxide derivative 25 in high yield and selectivity.