Efficient nitrogen alkylation of various primary and secondary amines, including cyclic, heterocyclic and alkaloid type amines, with a sugar oxetane 3,5-anhydro-1,2-O-cyclohexylidene-alpha-D-xylofuranose is described. As a result, 5-amino-5-deoxy derivatives of xylofuranose were obtained in good yields. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.