A synthesis method of 3-methylamino-1,2-
propanediol is disclosed in the invention, and it includes the following steps: (1) adding glycerin chlorohydrin, aqueous monomethylamine solution and an
amination catalyst, namely NaOH solution and NaHCO3, into a reactor, mixing the material sufficiently, and allowing
amination reaction to proceed in
two temperature stages; (2) removing monomethylamine and water from the
amination solution after the amination reaction is completed, filtering out the
solid resultant, and feeding the filtrate into a still; (3) distilling under reduced pressure to obtain 3-methylamino-1,2-
propanediol, wherein the vacuum for
distillation under reduced pressure is equal to or greater than 0.099 MPa and the temperature is 130-160° C. The product synthesized according to the invention, a liquid appearing colorless and transparent, has increased purity of over 99.5% (GC) and decreased impurities. Therefore, when this product is used for synthesis of
iopromide as a hypo-osmolar nonionic
contrast medium, it exactly meets the quality demand.