The reaction of 1,2,3,5-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranose (I) with dry HCl in ether-acetic anhydride gives 1-chloro-2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranose (II), which by reaction with silver isocyanate in dry xylene is converted into 2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosylisocyanate (III). The reaction of (III) with 2-methylisourea (IV) in dry CHCl3 affords 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-3-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-methylisobiuret (V), which is cyclized by reaction with ethyl orthoformate at 135 C yielding 1-(2,3,5-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-ribofuranosyl)-4-methoxy-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-1,3,5-triazine (VI). Finally, this compound is treated with ammonia in dry methanol.