The invention disclosed in this document is related to the field of processes to produce certain 2-(pyridine-3-yl)thiazoles as intermediates for the synthesis of pesticidal thiazole amides. In step a, compounds (I) and (II) are reacted to produce compound (III). The reaction is conducted in a polar protic solvent. Examples of such solvents include, but are not limited to, formic acid, n-butanol, isopropanol, n-propanol, ethanol, methanol, acetic acid, and water. In step b, compound (III) is cyclized using a dehydrating agent. Examples of such dehydrating agents include, but are not limited to, POCI3, H2S04, SOCI2, P205, polyphosphoric acid, p-toluene sulfonic acid, and trifluoroacetic anhydride. One advantage of steps a and b over the art is that compound (III) and (IV) are generally produced as substantially pure solids that do not need additional purification procedures.