7-Substituted 7-deazapurine (pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidine) 2'-deoxyribonucleosides are synthesized by stereoselective nucleobase anion glycosylation. The introduction of a halogen at C7 is performed regioselectively either on the nucleobase or on the nucleoside. The pK(a) values of a series of 7-deazapurine 2'-deoxyribonucleosides are provided, and fluorescence properties are also discussed.