Nucleoside analogues containing a 2-deoxy-l,5-anhydro-D-mannitol and a pyrimidine base moiety were synthesized starting from D-glucose via a nucleophilie opening of an epoxide with the heterocyelic base and an inversion of configuration at the 3'-position. Study of the conformation of these molecules, that show some activity against herpesviruses (HSV, VZV, CMV) should increase our understanding of the structural requirements of hexitol nucleosides for antiviral activity.