Topic summary
Neo-Inositol
The chemical compoundneo-inositol is one of the nine stereoisomerscyclohexane-1,2,3,4,5,6-hexol, the "inositols". Its formula is C6H12O6; the six carbon atoms form a ring, each of them is bonded to a hydrogen atom and a hydroxyl group (–OH). If the ring is assumed horizontal, three consecutive hydroxyls lie above the respective hydrogens, and the other three lie below them.
Like the other stereoisomers, neo-inositol is considered a carbohydrate, specifically a sugar alcohol (to distinguish it from the more familiar ketose and aldose sugars, like glucose). It occurs in nature, but only in small amounts; usually much smaller than those of myo-inositol, the most important stereoisomer.