[reaction: see text]. The O6-(2-mesitylenesulfonyl) derivative of 2'-deoxyguanosine undergoes a facile palladium-mediated C-C cross-coupling with arylboronic acids. Demonstrating the general applicability of this method, the synthesis of a previously undescribed class of 2-amino-6-arylpurine 2'-deoxynucleosides has been accomplished. The study also describes an evaluation of the O6-(2,4,6-triisopropylphenylsulfonyl) and the O6-(4-toluenesulfonyl) derivatives for the cross-coupling.