An efficient two-step procedure for the syntheses of pyrimidine nucleosides is presented. A series of glycosyl 5-(aminomethylene)-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione derivatives were prepared from β-anomeric isonitriles by reaction with Meldrum's acid or by allowing aminomethylene Meldrum's acid to react with an 1-aldofuranosyl halide or acetate. The resultant 5-(aminomethylene)-1,3-dioxane-4,6-dione derivatives underwent reaction with benzyl- or 2,4-dimethoxybenzyl isocyanate via transacylation to provide uridine-5-carboxylic acid derivatives and related nucleosides. These nucleoside carboxylic acids were converted into other C-5 derivatives by bromo-decarboxylation with N-bromosuccinimide.