Anomeric O-alkylation/arylation is applied to the synthesis of 2-deoxy-beta-glycosides. Treatment of lactols with NaH in dioxane followed by the addition of electrophiles leads to the formation of 2-deoxy-beta-glycosides in high yield and high selectivity. The high beta-selectivity observed here demonstrates a powerful stereoelectronic effect for the stereoselective formation of acetals under kinetic control.