Belonging to the field of fine chemicals, the invention discloses a production method of 4-hydroxy-2-
butanone, and solves the problem of low yield of existing synthetic methods. The method provided bythe invention includes the steps of: adding 1, 3-
butanediol, a catalyst, an assistant, water and a water-carrying agent into a reaction kettle, and performing heating to 55-60DEGC; adding
hydrogen peroxide dropwise into the
mixed solution, and conducting reduced pressure
distillation of water; stopping adding
hydrogen peroxide, and further performing stirring for 1-1.5h to distill the water-carrying agent out; controlling the temperature of the
system not higher than 60DEGC, and conducting reduced pressure rectification to obtain the final product 4-hydroxy-2-
butanone. By adding the assistant, 1, 3-
butanediol can better participate in the reaction, and the conversion rate can be improved. The
chemical reaction carried out in the invention is carried out under a negative pressure condition, and the temperature is controlled not higher than 60DEG C, thus avoiding the generation of
methyl vinyl ketone; and in a negative
pressure system, the reaction can be fully carried out under a low temperature condition, the product is easier to distill, and impurities are not easily produced.