The reaction of rifamycin S (I) with pyridine perbromide (II) in 2-propanol/chloroform (70/30) mixture at 0 C gives 3-bromorifamicin S (III), which is then condensed with 2-amino-4-methyl-pyridine (IV) at 10 C. The o-quinoniminic compound (V) is then obtained. This compound is finally reduced with ascorbic acid.