Combined enzymatic oxidation of D-galactose by D-galactose oxidase [EC 1.1.3.9] in water, amination with butylamine, and oxalic acid catalyzed Amadori rearrangement in methanol yielded 1,6-bis(butylamino)-1,6-dideoxy-erythro-hexo-2,5-diulose, demonstrating how in situ formed galacto-hexodialdose can be used to cross-link protein residues.