Process for production of 5-amino-3-methylpyrazole

The process for producing 5-amino-3-methylpyrazole includes the steps of reacting 2,3-dichloropropene with a cyanogenating agent in the presence of a cuprous salt and water at a pH of 3-8 to obtain at least one intermediate selected from the group consisting of 3-chloro-3-butenonitrile and 2,3-butadienenitrile; reacting the at least one intermediate with a base in the presence of water at a pH of 12.5 or above to obtain 2-butynenitrile; and reacting the 2-butynenitrile with hydrazine. This process is advantageous in that it enables the production of 5-amino-3-methylpyrazole in high yield without using any reagent which may produce fire. 5-Amino-3-methylpyrazole is a useful intermediate for medicines, agricultural chemicals, photographic chemicals, etc.