Inositol

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© Drawing: David E. Volk
Myo-inositol, the most common inositol stereoisomer.

Inositol refers to a collection hexose carbohydrates based on a central cyclohexane structure with six hydroxyl (OH) groups. Although myo-inositol, previously called meso-inositol, is the most common version found in nature, a number of other stereoisomeric forms are produced naturally. Inositol acts as a fatty acid transport by coupling its hydroxyl oxygen atoms with the carboxyl groups of fatty acids. The stereochemistry of myo-inositol is denoted by the IUPAC name cis-1,2,3,5-trans-4,6-cyclohexanehexol.


© Drawing: David E. Volk
Natural inositol forms.

Stereochemistry of inositol

Although myo-inositol is the most common form of inositol formed in nature, many other stereo isomers are known, as shown below. Only two of the inositol forms, D-chiro-inositol and L-chiro-inositol, are enantiomers that are optically active.