The invention discloses a preparation method of a tasimelteon key intermediate. According to the method, 4-vinyl-2, 3-dihydrobenzofuran is used as an initial raw material, (1R, 2R)-2-(2, 3-dihydrobenzofuran-4-yl) cyclopropane-1-ethyl formate is generated through a one-step catalytic reaction, and then (1R, 2R)-2-(2, 3-dihydro-4-benzofuranyl) cyclopropanecarboxylic acid is obtained through hydrolysis and resolution. The key step of asymmetric catalysis of chiral cyclopropane is developed, an adopted salen ligand Ru catalyst can catalyze chiral cyclopropane in one step, the process is simplified, and meanwhile the catalyst is non-toxic, environmentally friendly and high in utilization rate; then hydrolyzing into acid is realized, and chiral resolution is carried out; not only is the opticalpurity improved, but also a reagent for resolution can be recycled. The method is simple in overall process, high in operability, safe and controllable in production process, environment-friendly, energy-saving, low in cost, high in yield and suitable for large-scale production.