In view of the selective anti-HSV activity of 1,5-anhydro-2,3-dideoxy-2- (5-iodouracil-1-yl)-D-arabino-hexitol, a series of novel 1,5-anhydrohexitol nucleosides were synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against several viruses. The 5-iodouracil 3 and the 5-ethyluracil 4 derivatives are highly selective TK-dependent inhibitors of HSV-1 and HSV-2. Broad anti-herpes virus activity was noticed for 5-fluorocytosine 6 and 2,6-diaminopurine 10 analogues. From a transport study of 3, using the thymidine influx competition method, one can conclude that intracellular uptake of this compound most probably occurs by passive diffusion. X-ray analysis of compounds 3 and 9 showed that the heterocyclic base of 1,5-anhydrohexitol pyrimidine and purine is placed in the axial position and that the sugar ring adopts a slightly distorted chair conformation.