A facile synthesis of the 1,2-orthoesters of carbohydrates in the ionic liquid [bmim]PF6 without a quaternary ammonium salt like tetrabutylammonium iodide, is described. The glycosidation reactions of 4-pentenyl orthoesters (NPOEs) with different alcohols are also discussed. The work described in this paper showed that [bmim]PF6 is an efficient and recyclable solvent for the synthesis and glycosidation reaction of orthoesters.