A new synthesis of enantiomerically pure 1-amino-1-deoxy-myo-inositol is reported. The route described employs p-benzoquinone, an achiral compound, as the starting material to give conduritol B tetraacetate in three steps. Kinetic resolution of this compound using a palladium catalyst with a chiral ligand allows access to a conduritol B tetraester in high enantiomeric excess. This compound is transformed into tetrabenzyl conduritol B epoxide, ...