A method for preparing 5'-monodeuterated nucleosides with defined (S'S)/(5'R)-ratios, starting from glucose, is described. The 5-oxopentose derivatives, derived from glucose, were treated with LiAlD4 in the presence of LiI and/or t-amylalcohol to give stereoselectively 5-monodeuterated pentose derivatives. Using various reaction conditions, the stereoselectivity of the monodeuterated 5-hydroxymethyl group could be partially controlled, in the range of isotopomeric ratios, (5S)/(5R), of 4 : 1 to 1 : 7.4. Using appropriate mixtures of the 5-monodeuterated pentoses with different isotopomeric ratios, we could prepare 5'-monodeuterated nucleosides with defined isotopomeric ratios, which will be useful for NMR studies of oligonucleotides. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.