The invention provides new methods for synthesis of 2-aralkyloxyadenosines and 2-alkoxyadenosines. The invention is particularly useful for synthesis of 2-[2-(4-chlorophenyl)ethoxy]adenosine. Preferred methods of the invention include activating a guanosine compound followed by hydrolysis; alkylating the hydrolyzed compound with subsequent animation to provide a 2-aralkyloxyadenosine or a 2-alkoxyadenosine compound.