the beta-anomer. This quinazoline nucleoside and its 2',3'-O-isopropylidene derivative (9) did not undergo the coupling reaction with dialkyl disulfides in the presence of tri-n-butylphosphine unless their 4-amino groups were protected by N,N-dimethylaminomethylidene. This approach provides a viable alternative synthetic route to 5'-alkylthio-5'-deoxy nucleosides.