Four isomers of methyl 2-deoxy-D-arabino-hexosides were isolated by HPLC as chromatographically homogeneous compounds. The rates of pyranoside isomerization (alpha(p) and beta(p)) at 40 degrees C and of furanoside isomerization (alpha(f) and beta(f)) at 26 degrees C were determined. A mechanism has been suggested for transformations taking place during isomerization of methyl 2-deoxy-D-arabino-hexosides in methanolic solution catalyzed with hydrogen chloride.