The invention relates to a synthetic method of an alpha-hydroxyl carbonyl compound. The method is as below: mixing a carbonyl compound (I) with an organic phosphorus compound in an organic solvent; adding a catalyst cesium carbonate; and reacting under aerobic conditions to obtain the alpha-hydroxyl carbonyl compound (II). R1 is selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, alkyl, alkoxy, amino, aromatic base, substituted aromatic base and heterocyclic aromatic base; R2 is selected from alkyl, carbonyl, ester and phenyl; R3 is selected from alkyl, carbonyl, ester group and phenyl. Or, R1 combines with R2 to form naphthenic group or substituted cycloalkyl, benzo cycloalkyl base or substituted benzo cycloalkyl base, indole ring or substituted indole ring. Or, R2 combines with R3 to form the cycloalkyl or substituted cycloalkyl. The organic phosphorus compound is triphenylphosphine or triethyl phosphate. The organic solvent is dimethyl sulphoxide, N,N-dimethyl formamide, N,N-dimethyl acetamide or N-methyl pyrrolidone.