Preparation method of febuxostat intermediate

The invention relates to a preparation method of a febuxostat intermediate. The preparation method comprises the following steps of in the presence of cerium trichloride, performing formylation reaction on 2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-4-methyl-thiazole-5carboxylic ethyl ester and urotropine by taking acetic acid as a solvent. The preparation method disclosed by the invention is small in raw material corrosion, small in toxicity, gentle in reaction condition and more suitable for the industrial production needs.