Selective glycosylation of benzyl 4,6-O-benzylidene-β-D-galacto-pyranoside (1) with 1.5 mole equivalent of 2,3,4,6-tetra-O-binzyl-α-D-galactopyranosyl bromide (2) catalyzed by halide ion gave the (1→2)-α-(5) and (l→3)-α-D-linked disaccharide (7) derivatives in 22 and 40% yields, respectively. The D-galactose unit at the reducing end of 2-O-α-D-galactopyranosyl-D-galactose [11) at equilibrium in D2O was shown By13C NMR spectroscopy to exist in the pyranose and furanose forms in the ratio of ∼2:1.