The invention relates to a method of preparing 2, 3, 4-trimethoxybenzoic acid. 2, 3, 4-trimethoxy
benzaldehyde which is used as
raw material is mixed with alkaline solution and stirred to form two-phase solution; a
phase transfer catalyst that is tetrabutyl
ammonium chloride or tetrabutyl
ammonium bromide or benzyl triethyl
ammonium chloride is added, and
potassium permanganate is added for reacting for 2 to 4 hours; the
mixed solution is processed through vacuum drawing and filtering, and the pH value of filter liquor is adjusted to reach 7 to 9 by using
hydrochloric acid or sulphuric acid;
active carbon is added and stirred; the
mixed solution is decoloured for 10 to 30 minutes under the temperature
ranging from 80 to 95 DEG C, and is filtered to remove the
active carbon; the filter liquor is added with acid until which the white 2, 3, 4-trimethoxybenzoic acid is completely precipitated and separated out; after vacuum
filtration, filter
mass is processed through decompression and
vacuum drying under the conditions that the pressure ranges from minus 0.08 to 0.09 MPa and the temperature ranges from 40 to 80 DEG C, so that the 2, 3, 4-trimethoxy
benzaldehyde products are obtained. The method adopts the phase transfer
catalysis technology, enhances the oxidation speed and effect, controls the depth of the oxidation reaction to prevent the 2, 3, 4-trimethoxy
benzaldehyde from being further oxidized to form
quinine, thereby obtaining the high-purity 2, 3, 4-trimethoxy benzaldehyde. The product yield and the purity are high, and the requirement of the pharmaceutical intermediate can be satisfied.