Methyl-4,6-o-benzyliden-alpha-D-galactopyranoside is a chiral sugar molecule that is obtained from the condensation of d-glucose and 2-nitropropane. Methyl 4,6-o-benzyliden alpha D galactopyranoside has been shown to be an efficient catalyst for the transfer of d-galactose to chloride ions in a phase transfer reaction. It also has some activity as an x ray crystallographic reagent.