| abstract |
A process for producing a 1,2,4-triazole compound (5) or a salt or hydrate thereof which comprises reacting a compound (1) with Rc-X (2) to yield a compound (3), reacting the compound (3) with a nitrile-forming agent to yield a compound (4), and then removing the group Rc, as shown in the following reaction scheme: [Chemical formula 1] (wherein Ra, Rb, and Rd each represents a substituent; and Rc represents a group removable by an acid). The compound (5), which has an optionally substituted 2-cyanopyridin-4-yl group in the 3-position and an optionally substituted aromatic group in the 5-position, can be produced from the compound (1) in high yield without necessitating the isolation of any reaction product during the reactions. The compound (5) inhibits xanthine oxidase and is useful in treatments for gout and hyperuricemia. |