2,3-Epoxypropyl and 3,4-epoxybutyl 6′-deoxy-6′-iodo-β-cellobioside, together with 3,4-epoxybutyl 6′- deoxy-6′-fluoro-β-cellobioside, were prepared as putative inhibitors and reporter groups for events occurring at the active site of some β-glucan hydrolases. As well, related syntheses gave the previously unknown 6-deoxy-6-fluoro- and 6′-deoxy-6′-fluoro-cellobioses.