The invention relates to a novel carbonylation reactor for a process of producing glycol through synthesis gas. The reactor is a radial reactor and comprises a reactor shell, a heat exchange component, a flow dividing pipe, a flow collecting pipe and catalyst, wherein the flow dividing pipe is located in the center of the reactor; the heat exchange component is arranged between the flow dividing pipe and the flow collecting pipe; the heat exchange component is arranged in a catalyst bed layer, and the reactor shell comprises a cylinder, an upper seal head, a lower seal head, a reaction gas inlet, a reaction gas outlet, a cooling medium inlet, a cooling medium outlet, a catalyst unloading port and the like; the reaction gas inlet and the reaction gas outlet are arranged on the upper seal head; reaction gas enters the reactor from the reaction gas inlet, then flows downwards along the flow dividing pipe in the center, radially passes through the catalyst bed layer for reaction, and reaction product gas enters the flow collecting pipe, flows upwards along the flow collecting pipe and flows out from the reaction gas outlet. Compared with the prior art, the novel carbonylation reactor for the process of producing glycol through synthesis gas has the advantages of high heat exchange efficiency, small equipment size, high catalyst using efficiency and convenience in loading and unloading.