Lauryl and stearyl thioglycosides were prepared by the Lewis acid catalyzed reaction of 1-O-acetylated sugars with non-volatile and almost odorless 1-dodecanethiol and 1-octadecanethiol, respectively. These thioglycosides were activated by N-iodosuccinimide-TfOH to glycosyl donors producing disaccharides in good yields.