The invention discloses a preparation method of a catalyst and belongs to the field of preparation and application of catalysts. The preparation method comprises the following steps of: a) in the presence of inert gas, mixing acetylacetone, cobalt hydroxide, benzene and / or benzene derivative, then distilling moisture until the moisture content of reflux is less than 300ppm, so as to obtain a solution A containing cobalt acetylacetonate, and cooling to the temperature below -10 DEG C for later use; b) in the presence of inert gas, mixing cyclopentadiene, 1,5-cyclooctadiene, benzene and / or benzene derivative, cooling to the temperature below -10 DG C, adding triethyl aluminum, and uniformly mixing, so as to obtain a solution B is obtained; and c) slowly adding the solution B into the solution A at the temperature below 0 DEG C, stirring, heating to 25 DEG C, reacting for 3-5 hours, and filtering, wherein the obtained filtrate is the catalyst benzene and / or benzene derivative solution of 1,5-cyclooctadiene cyclopentadienyl cobalt. The invention also discloses a method for preparing 2,2-dipyridyl by utilizing the catalyst.