The diazonium salt from 2-amino-4-methylpyridine (I) is converted to 2-hydroxy-4-methylpyridine (II), which is nitrated to give 2-hydroxy-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (III). Conversion to 2-chloro-4-methyl-3-nitropyridine (IV) is effected with phosphorous oxychloride and phosphorous pentachloride. Reduction of (IV) with hydrogen/Raney Nickel provides 3-amino-2-chloro-4-methylpyridine (V), which is condensed with 2-chloronicotinoyl chloride to give 2-chloro-N-(2-chloro-4-methyl-3-pyridinyl)-3-pyridinecarboxamide (VI). Treatment with cyclopropylamine affords N-(2-chloro-4-methyl-3-pyridinyl)-2-(cyclopropylamino)-3-pyridinecarboxamide (VII), which is cyclized in the presence of sodium hydride to yield nevirapine.