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.