Methyl 6-deoxy-6-fluoro-β-d-galactopyranoside has been obtained by treatment of methyl β-d-galactopyranoside with diethyl-aminosulfur trifluoride (DAST). Improvements over the existing syntheses of methyl 2, 3-di-O-benzyl-4-deoxy-4-fluoro-β-d-galacto-pyranoside from the corresponding 6-O-substituted 4-O-arylsul-fonyl-d-gluco derivatives are described.13C NMR spectra of a series of methyl deoxyfluoro-β-d-galactopyranosides and their per-O-acetyl derivatives have been measured. The data obtained can be used as an aid for the interpretation of13C NMR spectra of deoxyfluoro-β-d-galactopyranose-containing oligosaccharides and related substances.