The present invention provides an efficient method of synthesizing and purifying dianhydrohexitols such as dianhydrogalactitol. In general, as applied to dianhydrogalactitol, the method comprises: (1) reacting dulcitol with a concentrated solution of hydrobromic acid at a temperature of about 80° C. to produce dibromogalactitol; (2) reacting the dibromogalactitol with potassium carbonate in t-butanol to produce dianhydrogalactitol; and (3) purifying the dianhydrogalactitol using a slurry of ethyl ether to produce purified dianhydrogalactitol. Another method produces dianhydrogalactitol from dulcitol; this method comprises: (1) reacting dulcitol with a reactant to convert the 1,6-hydroxy groups of dulcitol to an effective leaving group to generate an intermediate; and (2) reacting the intermediate with an inorganic weak base to produce dianhydrogalactitol through an intramolecular SN2 reaction. Other methods for the synthesis of dianhydrogalactitol from dulcitol are described.