a method for the preparation of d - chiro - inositol from kasugamycin , comprising the steps of : reacting kasugamycin with an acetylating agent to form a crude hexa - acetate intermediate ; purifying the crude intermediate to form purified hexa - acetate intermediate ; deacetylating the purified intermediate to form d - chiro - inositol ; and isolating the d - chiro - inositol . the method permits efficient , large - scale preparation of d - chiro - inositol without the need for extensive chromatographic purification of the final d - chiro - inositol product .