The invention relates to a method for continuously synthesizing ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetates. The method comprises the following steps: pumping a cooled
diketene solution into a falling film reactor through a
metering pump, and enabling the cooled
diketene solution to uniformly form a film through a
distributor, and flow into the reactor from a
tower top; meanwhile, controlling the flow of
chlorine gas through a gas flow meter; introducing the
chlorine gas into the reactor through a gas
distributor; carrying out a reaction on the
diketene and the
chlorine gas on the surface of the falling film reactor; after the reaction is finished, enabling reaction liquid to flow out from a
tower bottom and enter an
esterification reaction kettle; pumping in different alcohols and overflowing into a next
esterification reaction kettle to continually react; absorbing
hydrogen chloride gas, which is generated in a reaction process, with water; after the reaction is finished, washing with water and neutralizing to remove the residual
hydrogen chloride; distilling an organic phase to recycle a
solvent and excessive
alcohol raw materials to obtain a crude product; rectifying the crude product to obtain an ethyl 4-chloroacetoacetates product. With the adoption of the method, reaction time can be shortened,
energy consumption is reduced, polychlorides are controlled, reaction selectivity is improved, rectification is relatively easy, and yield and purity of the product are improved.