A 2,3,5-tri-O-benzyl-D-ribose reacts with lithium salts of thiophenes or furans to give the corresponding 2-ribosylthiophenes or furans, which are then treated with p-toluenesulfonic acid, affording 2-ribofuranosylthiophenes or furans (C-nucleosides) in good yield and in a stereoselective manner.