Reaction of glycal derivatives with alcohols or glycosyl acceptors in the presence of N-bromosuccinimide (NBS) and diphenyldiselenide resulted in the formation of alkyl 2-deoxy-2-phenylselenyl glycosides or disaccharide derivatives in excellent yield. The reactions are reasonably fast and considerable stereo-selectivity was observed in the preparation of disaccharide derivatives. © 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.