The present invention provides a process for the synthesis of 2-deoxy-D-glucose comprising haloalkoxylation of R-D-Glucal wherein R is selected from H and 3, 4, 6-tri-O-benzyl, to obtain alkyl 2-deoxy-2-halo-R-/-D-gluco/mannopyranoside, converting alkyl 2-deoxy-2-halo-R-/-D-gluco/mannopyranoside by reduction to alkyl 2-deoxy-/-D-glucopyranoside, hydrolysing alkyl 2-deoxy-/-D-glucopyranoside to 2-deoxy-D-glucose.