Benzyl 2-acetamido-2-deoxy-3-O-(b-D-galactopyranosyl)-a-D-glucopyranoside is a synthetic substrate that is used in the synthesis of disaccharides. It is catalytic and has an efficient method for the preparation of acetonitrile, which can be eluted with acetic acid. It is a reagent that reacts with halides to form equimolar acetates. Acetylated benzyl 2-acetamido-2 deoxy 3 O-(b D galactopyranosyl) a D glucopyranoside can be obtained by reacting benzyl 2 acetamido 2 deoxy 3 O-(b D galactopyranosyl) a D glucopyranoside with acetic anhydride.