Febuxostat was synthesized from 4-hydroxybenzonitrile via alkylation，bromination，thioformylation，cyclization，cyanation，and hydrolysis. In the improved process，a LiCl-promoted thioformylation needed less time as well as avoided the use of strong acidic conditions. With the catalysis of trace Pd(OAc)2，a cyano group was smoothly installed in the presence of K4[Fe(CN)6] without anhydrous anaerobic operation. Non-toxic K4[Fe(CN)6] was used advantageously compared to toxic cyanide sources. The total yield was as high as 64.3 %．The structure was confirmed by melting point，1H NMR，13C NMR and ESI-MS.