Several ganglioside GM3analogs, containing a variety of lipophilic parts in place of the ceramide moiety have been synthesized. Glycosylation of (2S, 3R, 4E)-2-azido-3-0-benzoyl-4-octa-decen-l, 3-diol (2) with 0-(methyl 5-acetamido-4, 7, 8, 9-tetra-0-acetyl-3, 5-dideoxy-o-glycero-α-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonate)-(2→3)-(2, 4-di-0-acetyl-6-0-benzoyl-ß-D-galactopyranosyl)-(l→4)-3-(1)-acetyl-2, 6-di-0-benzoyl-α-D-glucopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (1) gave the 8-glycoside (5), which was converted, via selective reduction of the azide group, introduction of acyl groups, 0-deacylation, and de-esterification, into the desired compounds (10-12). On the other hand, coupling of 1 with 3-benzyloxycarbonyl-amino-1-propanol (3) or (2RS)-3-benzyloxycarbonylamino-2-0-benzoyl-1, 2-propanediol (4) gave the corresponding ß-glycosides 13 and 14, respectively. These were converted by N-debenzyloxycarbonylation, coupling with 2-tetradecylhexadecanoic acid, 0-deacylation, and hydrolysis of the methyl ester group, into the end products (17 and 18).