The present invention relates to novel intermediates and to an improved process for the preparation of N- functionalised cytidine derivatives such as capecitabine, galocitabine and sapacitabine. Said intermediates are se from a copound of formula (A- 2), (A-3), (A-6), (A-7). wherein: R1 and R3 arc each independendy selected from hydrogen, -F, -CI, -Br, -I, -CN, -NO2, -N3, -O-R7, -S-R7, -N(R7)2, -N(R7)3+ or -0-Si(R7)3; R4 and R5 arc each independendy selected from hydrogen, -F, -CI, -Br and -I; R6 is selected from an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, atyl, aiylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, alkylaiyl, alkenylaryl or alkynylaryl group, each of which may optionally be substituted, and each of which may optionally include one or more heteroatoms N, O or S in its carbon skeleton; and each R7 is independendy selected from hydrogen, or an alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, atyl, aiylalkyl, arylalkenyl, arylalkynyl, alkylaiyl, alkenylaryl or alkynylaryl group, each of which may optionally he substituted, and each of which may optionally include one or more heteroatoms N, O or S in its carbon skeleton, and wherein any two or more R7 groups may, together with rhe atom or atoms to which they are attached, form a cyclic alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, aiylalkyl, arylalkcnyl, arylalkynyl, alkylaiyl, alkenylaryl or alkynylaryl group, each of which may optionally be substituted, and each of which may optionally include one or more heteroatoms N, O or S in its carbon skeleton.