Isohexide monotriflate compounds and a method of preparing the same are described. The method involves reacting a mixture of an isohexide, a trifluoromethanesulfonate anhydride, and either 1) a nucleophilic base or 2) a combination of a non-nucleophilic base and a nucleophile. The isohexide monotriflate compounds can serve as precursor materials from which various derivative compounds can be synthesized.
