Two reaction routes are presented for the preparation of hexa-O-acetyl-2-deoxy-2- phthalimido-β-d-lactosyl chloride (7) from lactal hexaacetate (1). One route involves, in the first stage, reaction of 1 with nitrosyl chloride and proceeds by way of benzyl 2-amino-2- deoxy-α-d-lactoside (4) as an intermediate. The other route, which is considered more efficient, involves reaction of 1 with cerie ammonium nitrate and sodium azide and ...