The invention relates to a method for preparing 4-(N-phenothiazine)-carbonyl-2-butenoic acid. The method comprises the following steps: adding A mol of phenothiazine and B mol of maleic anhydride into a reaction container, and then adding acetonitrile; dripping concentrated hydrochloric acid into the reaction container while stirring to get a reaction solution, increasing the temperature of the reaction solution from room temperature to 40-80 DEG C, and performing reaction for 1-2.5h while stirring to get a mixed solution, wherein A: B=2.5: (2.5-3.0); performing reduced-pressure distillation on the mixed solution to remove acetonitrile to get a concentrated solution, wherein the volume of acetonitrile in the concentrated solution is 15-20% of the volume of acetonitrile in the mixed solution; and cooling the concentrated solution to room temperature, then adding water into the concentrated solution, uniformly stirring, then performing suction filtration, washing a filter cake with water, and drying to get 4-(N-phenothiazine)-carbonyl-2-butenoic acid. According to the method disclosed by the invention, acetonitrile is adopted as a solvent, concentrated hydrochloric acid is taken as a catalyst, and the method has the advantages of simplicity and convenience in operation, short reaction time, mild conditions, simple post-treatment, low price and easiness in obtaining of raw materials and high yield.