A method for synthesizing mesalazine is disclosed. The method comprises the following steps: 1) adding p-nitrophenol, p-toluenesulfonic acid, absolute ethyl alcohol and hexamethylenetetramine, stopping heating after the reaction is finished, heating to room temperature while stirring with ice water, separating out solids, filtering, washing and drying to obtain 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde; 2) adding the 5-nitrosalicylaldehyde, potassium tert-butoxide, copper salt and acetonitrile, adding tert-butyl hydroperoxide while stirring, after the reaction is finished, performing vacuum concentration to remove the solvent, pouring cold water into residues, stirring, performing suction filtration, adjusting the pH value of the filtrate with hydrochloric acid, performing suction filtration, and drying to obtain 5-nitrosalicylic acid; and 3) adding stannous chloride dihydrate, concentrated hydrochloric acid, the 5-nitrosalicylic acid and ethanol, carrying out vacuum concentration after the reaction is finished, dissolving residues in water, adjusting the pH value with a concentrated hydrochloric acid solution, standing for crystallization, carrying out suction filtration, washing filter cake with water, and drying to obtain mesalazine. No isomer is generated, and the yield is high; the method does not need high-temperature and high-pressure conditions; the reaction cost is low; and raw materialsand auxiliary materials with high toxicity and heavy environmental pollution are not used.