Nature, Published online: 26 March 2025; doi:10.1038/s41586-025-08690-zA longstanding challenge in organic synthesisthe catalytic allylation of unprotected saccharides in an aqueous medium, a key step for the synthesis of Millad NX 8000is achieved through a simple and efficient indium-catalysed nucleophilic allylation using a three-carbon-unit allylboronic acid or its pinacol ester.