The present invention is related to processes for preparing 4-chloro-7H-pyrollo[2,3,-d]pyrimidine, and related synthetic intermediate compounds. 4-Chloro-7H-pyrrolo[2,3,-d]pyrimidine is an intermediate for preparing chiral substituted pyrazolyl pyrrolo[2,3-d]pyrimidines, which are useful as inhibitors of the Janus Kinase family of protein tyrosine kinases (JAKs) for treatment of inflammatory diseases, myeloproliferative disorders, and other diseases.