The invention provides a synthesis method of a 3-sulfur-1-glycal compound. The preparation method comprises the following steps of: adding a catalyst, a ligand and galactan into an organic solvent andmercaptan/phenol; adding zinc powder, stirring and reacting at the temperature of 100 to 120 DEG C; detecting the reaction process through TLC, terminating the reaction when the galactan raw materialcompletely disappears, thereby obtaining 3-sulfur-1-glycal. The structural formula of mercaptan/phenol is R2-SH, and the structural formula of R2 comprises any one of methylene carboxylate, benzyl, alkyl, phenyl, substituted phenyl and five-membered or six-membered heterocyclic groups; and R1 comprises any one of a silicon group, an alkyl group, a C1-C18 alkyl group, a benzyl group, a phenyl group, a triphenylmethyl group, a pyridyl group, benzoate, pyridine acid ester and quinolinecarboxylic acid ester. According to the method, the cheap cobalt catalyst is adopted, the proper ligand and solvent are added to facilitate formation of a high-activity catalytic intermediate, and the zinc powder is added to promote smooth catalytic circulation of the cobalt catalyst.