To produce the subject derivative having a halogen atom at a specific position, capable of allowing various side chains to be introduced by utilizing the reactivity of the halogen atom, capable of allowing a protection step and a deprotectin step of a functional group to be omitted and useful as an intermediate for synthesizing a vitamin D derivative.

This halide of formed I (X is Br or I) is obtained by reacting a corresponding sulfonate compound with a brominating agent or an iodizing agent. The 3β-hydroxy-1,5,7-triene which is a compound of formula IV wherein R2 is H, obtained by dehydrating the hydroxy group at 7-position of the compound of formula I to provide 1,4,6-triene-3-one compound of formula II, enol- esterifying the obtained compound to provide a 1,3,5,7-tetraene compound of formula III (R1 is an acyl), and reducing the obtained tetraene compound to provide the 1,3,5-triene compound of formula IV (R2 is H or a protective group of hydroxy group). The compound of formula IV in which R2 is the protective group of the hydroxy group is obtained by protecting the hydroxy group at the 3-position.