Lithiation of 8-azaindole (I) with n-BuLi, followed by treatment with 1,2-diiodoethane (II) affords 7-iodopyrazolopyridine (III), which is then treated with CuCN, Pd2(dba)3 and diphenylphosphinoferrocene (dppf) in refluxing dioxane to provide pyrazolo[1,5-a]pyridine-7-carbonitrile (IV). Finally, Mannich condensation of (IV) with N-(4-chlorophenyl)piperazine (V) and formaldehyde gives rise to the title piperazinomethyl derivative.