The invention relates to a method for preparing 1, 4-
butanediol from
ethylene glycol through 2-
halohydrin. The method comprises the following steps: by taking
ethylene glycol as a
raw material, firstly, carrying out
acid catalysis halogenation to obtain 2-
halohydrin and 2-
halohydrin acetate; the mixture of the 2-halohydrin and the 2-halohydrin acetate is converted into the 1, 4-
butanediol and the ester thereof through electrocatalytic dehalogenation
coupling. In the
halogenation reaction, strong acid is used as a catalyst, heating reaction is carried out in an
inert atmosphere, and the total selectivity of the obtained 2-halohydrin and 2-halohydrin acetate can reach 89%. The electrocatalytic reaction process of the reacted 2-halohydrin and 2-halohydrin acetate is as follows: adding 2-iodoethanol, 2-halohydrin acetate, a
metal complex and alkali into an electrolytic bath containing a
solvent, wherein a
Pt electrode and an
oxide electrode are cathodes; after the
atmosphere of the
electrolytic cell is replaced with
inert gas, sealing is carried out,
electrolysis is carried out at normal temperature, dehalogenation
coupling products of 2-iodoethanol and 2-haloethanol acetate, namely 1, 4-
butanediol and 1, 4-butanediol diacetate are obtained, and the selectivity can reach 91%. The total selectivity of 1, 4-butanediol in the two-
step method can reach 81%.