Abstract: Commercially viable process for producing 2,6-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethlpridine. The process includes reacting 2-cyanoacetamide with sodium methoxide followed by condensation with ethyl 2-methylacetoacetate in methanol to give the sodium salt of 2,6-dihydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-3-pyridinecarbonitrile. The sodium salt of 2,6-dihydroxy-4,5-dimethyl-3-pyridinecarbonitrile is hydrolyzed with hydrobromic acid and decarboxylated to the hydrobromide salt of 2,6-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethylpyridine. The desired 2,6-dihydroxy-3,4-dimethylpyridine is produced from the hydrobromide salt by neutralizing the same with sodium hydroxide.