Here a synthesis of novel galactose-1,2,3-triazole conjugates is described. The title compounds were obtained from 3-azido-3-deoxy-1,2:5,6-di-O-isopropylidene-α-D-galactofuranose via a copper catalyzed azide-alkyne 1,3-dipolar cycloaddition reaction. It was demonstrated that the title compounds in their isopropylidene-protected form tend to chelate copper. The copper content can be diminished to 10 ppm by successive treatment with EDTA and Na 2 S followed by chromatographic purification. Acidic hydrolysis of the acetonide protecting groups provided water soluble galactohybrids that were tested for their affinity towards galectin-1 and galectin-3. The trimeric galactohybrid exhibited a 160-fold preference for galectin-3 binding with K d 50 μM. One of the obtained disaccharides was characterized by X-ray analysis.