Lauryl and stearyl thioglycosides were prepared by the Lewis acid catalyzed
reaction of 1-O-acetylated sugars with non-volatile and almost odorless 1-
dodecanethiol and 1-octadecanethiol, respectively. These thioglycosides wer
e activated by N-iodosuccinimide-TfOH to glycosyl donors producing disaccha
rides in good yields.