The formation of orthoesters during Konigs-Knorr reactions is described. Di
phenylmethyl oleanolate reacts with 1 --> 4 linked disaccharide donors to o
rthoesters instead of the expected glycosides. The reaction with acetobromo
glucose gave a mixture of orthoester and glycoside. The influence of the st
ructure of the glycosyl donors and of the reaction conditions on the format
ion of orthoesters is discussed.