The synthesis of two differentially protected GluNAc-β (1→ 4)-GluA and GluA-β (1→ 3)- GluNAc disaccharide modules for the solid-phase assembly of hyaluronic acid are described. A periodic acid/chromium trioxide oxidation was the key transformation to facilitate access to the glucuronic acid moiety from glucose and should find wide application in the oxidation of primary alcohols.