This invention relates to a process for preparing 2\u2032-deoxynucleoside compounds or 2\u2032-deoxynucleoside precursors using 2-dehydro-3-deoxy-D-gluconic acid or its salts as a starting material. The method includes the steps of generating and transmitting a series of time-modulated pulses, each pulse delayed by one of four predetermined time delay periods and representative of at least two data bits of information, and receiving and demodulating the series of time-modulated pulses to estimate the data bits associated with each pulse. The clamping sleeve has a radially outwardly facing contoured clamping surface provided with one on more clamping segments, each clamping segment having a ramp between a trough and a crest, and a depression on the other side of the crest.