A symposium. Synthesis of a variant of myo-inositol-contg. compds. are discussed and described, including glycan phosphatidylinositol structures found on various cell surfaces and believed to play important roles in the life cycles of tropical parasites (Trypanosoma and Leishmania) and in the action of insulin, and phosphatidyl inositol phosphates, known signal substances in a no. of biol. events. The resoln. of myo-inositol is performed using camphor acetals and the phosphodiester linkages are introduced using H-phosphonates. [on SciFinder (R)]