A formal synthesis of valiolamine from myo-inositol

An efficient formal synthesis of racemic valiolamine starting from readily available myo-inositol is reported. In all the synthetic steps only one regioisomer is formed, which circumvents laborious purification of products. Regioselective benzylation of myo-inositol orthoformate, super-hydride mediated deoxygenation of a cyclitol derivative and stereoselective addition of dichloromethyllithium to an inosose are the key reactions in the synthesis.