Two enantiomeric pairs of myo-inositol(1,2,4,5,6)P-5 and -(1,2,3,4,5)P-5 have efficiently been synthesized by means of the lipase catalyzed acetylation of 1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-myo-inositol and the benzoyl migration procedure. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.