We have developed an efficient methodology for highly stereoselective sialylation using 3- position substituted sialic acids and have prepared 2a having a 3β-phenylthio group as a sialic donor. Glycosylation of suitably protected lactoside 3 with 2a gave only the α-sialyl trisaccharide 16 in good yield. Condensation of the azidosphingosine 4 with the acetate 17 using promotors, DMTST or NIS-TfOH, afforded the glycolipid 18, which was directly ...