Addition of a wide range of Grignard reagents to acetone protected (2-methyl-5-tert-butyl)phenyl 1-thio-β-D-ribopentodialdo-1,4-furanoside 3b produced useful 5(R)C-substituted products with moderate to good yields, and moderate to perfect stereoselectivities, with no need of additives. n.O.e. Analysis of 3b showed that 1-S-aryl group could contribute to the stereoselectivity of addition reaction. The stereochemistry of 4 representative 5-C-substituted ribofuranoside products was further confirmed by NMR study of corresponding Mosher esters, by chemical derivatization, or by single crystal study.