The transmission of messages across cell membranes is an essential process in complex organisms. The discovery of a new transmembrane signalling system, involving the production of inositol phosphates inside stimulated cells, has led to widespread interest in the chemical synthesis of the inositol phosphates and their analogues. This book provides a concise but comprehensive account of the methods of organic synthesis of inositol phosphates and supplements this with a general background treatment of the stereochemistry and nomenclature of the inositols. The biochemical importance and complexity of the system are also covered, as is the synthesis of inositol phosphate analogues. The book is intended for advanced undergraduate students, postgraduates and research workers in both university and industrial laboratories. "... an invaluable and well-written text for all those working on cellular secondary messengers ... the most comprehensive of all the reviews so far written in this very topical area." Professor Steven V. Ley, Department of Chemistry, Cambridge University