The condensation of 5-hydroxy-2-hydroxymethylpyridine (I) with 1,1,1-trifluoro-5-bromopentane (II) by means of KOH in hot DMF gives 5-(5,5,5 trifluoropentyloxy)-2-hydroxymethylpyridine (III), which is then oxidized with KMnO4 in butanol water.