The invention provides a preparation method of 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-dioxolane. The method comprises the steps that: under a cyclization reaction condition, 1,2-propylene oxide and acetone contact a catalyst, such that a mixture is obtained; and the 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-dioxolane is separated from the mixture, wherein the catalyst comprises ionic liquid 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salt and anhydrous zinc chloride. The invention also provides a preparation method of 1,2-propanediol. According to the 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-dioxolane preparation method provided by the invention, the catalyst composed of the ionic liquid 1-alkyl-3-methylimidazolium salt and anhydrous zinc chloride is adopted, such that defects such as high catalyst cost and severe environment pollution of prior arts in which zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate is adopted as a catalyst for catalyzing the reaction of 1,2-propylene oxide and acetone are solved. Also, catalytic efficiency is improved compared with a method for using single anhydrous zinc chloride as a catalyst to replace zinc trifluoromethanesulfonate, and catalyst recycling and reutilization can be facilitated.