A peracetylated β-D-galactose 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-anomeric galactose building block for glycoconjugate synthesis, glycomimetic research, and the construction of probes for galactose-recognizing proteins, including galectins and other lectins. Terminal β-Gal residues are also a substrate for glycosyltransferases, including sialyltransferases and fucosyltransferases.