A simple and efficient method for the separation of hydrophobic derivatives of glycosaminoglycan-derived disaccharides is described. Hydroxyl-protected derivatives of a trisulfated disaccharide, prepared from heparin using heparin lyase, were separated by reversed-phase high-performance liquid chromatography. These disaccharide derivatives differed by the number, position, and stereochemistry of acetyl and pivaloyl groups. Separation was achieved on a C18 column using a reversed gradient of ammonium sulfate in water. This method has application in the purification of disaccharide derivatives being used as chiral synthons in the preparation of higher oligosaccharides.