1-O-Acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-b-D-ribofuranose is an intermediate used to access a variety of ribonucleoside analogues. The ribosylation of substituted purines and pyrimidines with 1-O-Acetyl-2,3,5-tri-O-benzoyl-b-D-ribofuranose affords ribonucleoside analogues with the potential for biological and medicinal activity.