B(C6F5)3 enables the metal-free unprecedented substrate-controlled direct α-stereoselective synthesis of deoxyglycosides from glycals. 2,3-Unsaturated α- O-glycoside products are obtained with deactivated glycals at 75 °C in the presence of the catalyst, while 2-deoxyglycosides are formed using activated glycals that bear no leaving group at C-3 at lower temperatures. The reaction proceeds in good to excellent yields via concomitant borane activation of glycal donor and nucleophile acceptor. The method is exemplified with the synthesis of a series of rare and biologically relevant glycoside analogues.