A peracetylated β-D-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAcβ) ligand equipped with an azide handle through a hydrophilic PEG3 spacer. The terminal azide couples to alkynes via copper-catalyzed azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) or to DBCO and related strained alkynes via copper-free click chemistry, forming stable 1,2,3-triazole linkages. The sugar hydroxyls are acetate-protected to increase lipophilicity for cell membrane permeability. This compound provides a β-N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAcβ) building block for glycoconjugate synthesis and the construction of probes for GlcNAc-recognizing proteins and lectins; it is also relevant to O-GlcNAc and N-glycan biosynthesis research and a substrate for galactosyltransferases.