A series of alpha-(1-->5)-linked L-arabinofuranosyl di-, tetra-, hexa- and octameric derivatives were synthesized efficiently. The process was carried out in a regio- and stereoselective manner using perbenzoylated arabinofuranosyl trichloroacetimidates as glycosyl donors and unprotected or partially protected arabinofuranosides as glycosyl accepters in the presence of a catalytic amount of trimethylsilyl trifluoromethanesulfonate (TMSOTf). (C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.