Subtilisin-catalyzed esterification of several enantiomeric benzyl and naphthyl glycopyranosides has been investigated. The d-sugar derivatives were all good substrates and subtilisin regioselectivity was similar with all the compounds tested, the 3-OH being acylated predominantly. On the other hand, most of the l-glycopyranosides were transformed during longer reaction times with a lower regioselectivity, the 2-OH being preferentially but not exclusively acylated.