Abstract: A process for the production of (.+-.)3-deazaaristeromycin, which is also known as (.+-.)-4-amino-1-[(1.alpha., 2.beta., 3.beta., 4.alpha.)-2,3-dihydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)-cyclopentyl]imidazo[4,5-c]pyridi ne, which comprises:(1) reacting 2,4-dichloro-3-nitropyridine with (.+-.)(1,4/2,3)-4-amino-2,3-dihydroxy-1-cyclopentanemethanol to give (.+-.)-(1,4/2,3)-4-(3-nitro-2-chloro-4-pyridylamino)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-cyclo pentanemethanol (compound II);(2) subsequently reducing compound II to (.+-.)-(1,4/2,3)-4(3-amino-2-chloro-4-pyridylamino)-2,3-dihydroxy-1-cyclop entanemethanol (compound III);(3) acid catalyzed cyclization of compound III to (.+-.)-4-chloro-1-(1.alpha., 2.beta., 3.beta., 4.alpha.)-2,3-dihydroxy-4-(hydroxymethyl)cyclopentyl)imidazo[4,5-c]pyridin e (compound IV);(4) displacing the chloro group of compound IV to produce (.+-.)-4-hydrazino-1-(1.alpha., 2.beta., 3.beta., 4.alpha.