A series of novel purine-modified 2',3'-dideoxy-2',3'-difluro-D-arabinonucleosides, including fluorinated analogs of fludarabine and nelarabine, have been prepared via anion glycosylation reactions of salts of 2-fluoropurine derivatives with the glycosyl bromide. A short and efficient synthetic route to the carbohydrate precursor 5-O-benzoyl-2,3-difluoro-α-d-arabinofuranosyl bromide was developed in five steps from d-xylose. Improved synthesis of methyl 5-O-benzoyl-2,3-difluoro-α-d-arabinofuranoside based upon the study of diethylaminosulfur trifluoride (DAST)-reactions with 5-O-protected methyl D-xylosides was explored using mild reaction conditions on the key step. New peculiarities for selective fluorinations of 5-O-benzoylated α- and β-D-pentofuranosides with DAST leading to the formation of mono and difluoro-furanoside derivatives are reported.