1) The mesylation of 5'-O-tritylthymidine with mesyl chloride gives the corresponding 3'-O-mesyl derivative (II), which is cyclized by means of potassium phthalimide (III) in hot DMF water, yielding 5'-O-trityl-2,3'-anhydrothymidine (IV). The reaction of (IV) with sodium azide in refluxing DMF - water affords 5'-O-trityl-3'-azido-3'-deoxy thymidine (V), which is finally deprotected with 80% aqueous acetic acid at 100 C.
2) The anhydrization of thymidine (VI) with 2-chloro-1,2-difluorotriethylamine in hot DMF gives 2,3'-anhydrothymidine (VII), which is then treated with lithium azide and NH4Cl in hot DMF.