A series of 3'-C-cyano-3'-deoxy-pentafuranosylthymlne nucleosides have been synthesized from 1-(β-D-ribofuranosyl) thyBlne (7). 2', 5'-Selective protection of 7 followed by oxidation afforded the corresponding 3'-ketonucleoside (9). The latter reacted with NaCN to give a mixture of 3'-cyanohydrins which were 3'-deoxygenated to afford 1-2', 5'-di-O-(t- butyldimethylsilyl)-3'-C-eyario-3'-deoxy-β-DXXX-xylo-pentofuranosyl thylne (14). ...