PURPOSE: To obtain aromatic nitrile useful as medicine or synthetic intermediate of organic industrial product in high purity and high yield by reacting aromatic halide having nitro group at ortho-position of halogen group with cyanogen compound and copper compound.

CONSTITUTION: An aromatic halide expressed by the formula (X is halogen; Z is H, halogen, 1-4C alkyl, cyano, nitro, methoxy or trifluoromethyl; n is 1-4) having nitro group at ortho-position of halogen group is reacted with a cyanogen compound and a copper compound in a non-protonic polar solvent such as DMF at 100-250°C. Next, extraction is performed at a temperature above 60°C-below boiling point of used solvent. After the extraction, precipitate containing copper compound is separated by filtration with heating, resultant organic layer is washed and filtered with heated aqueous solution of alkaline hydroxide and/or hot water, then absorbent is added and solvent is removed, thus aromatic nitrile is purified.