Process for the production of 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridines

Process for the production of 2-amino-3-hydroxypyridines of the formula wherein R1 and R2 independently of one another represent hydrogen or an alkyl group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, wherein a furan-2-carboxylic acid of formula wherein R1 and R2 have the meaning given above, or a derivative thereof, for example a quaternary ammonium salt, an ester, an amide, a halogenide, an amidine salt, an iminoether salt or the nitrile, is reacted at a temperature of between 100 DEG and 300 DEG C in a solvent containing amide groups, in the presence of an acid catalyst, with ammonia.