Cyclitols. XXVIII. Methyl esters of inositol phosphates. The structure of phytic acid

Abstract

Methylation of phytic acid with diazomethane gives a crystalline dodecamethyl ester; a similar crystalline ester was also obtained from scyllo-inositol hexaphosphate. The methyl esters of many myo-inositol polyphosphates can be separated from each other by thin-layer or column chromatography. Phosphate migration occurs when the hydroxyl groups of partially phosphorylated inositols are methylated.