This invention relates to a process of synthesizing a β-nucleoside compound of formula (I): wherein R1 is alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, heteroaryl, or heterocycloalkyl. The process includes reacting a compound of formula (II): with a compound of formula (III): wherein R1 is as defined above and X is chloride, bromide, iodide, methanesulfonate, triflate, p-toluenesulfonate, trifluoroacetate, 4-nitrophenoxy, or N-succinimidyloxy, in a solvent and in the presence of a base.