The protocols for oligosaccharide synthesis are often tedious due to extended synthetic routes and reaction times. We herein describe methods assisted by microwave dielec. heating, which enable very short reaction times and high yields for the introduction and removal of eleven of the most commonly used protecting groups in carbohydrate syntheses. Several examples are reported, where solid supported reagents in combination with microwave dielec. heating have been used. This results in both faster and easier synthesis and purifn. [on SciFinder (R)]