A method of preparing 2,4,6-trifluorobenzaldehyde is provided. The method includes (1) preparing a
tetrahydrofuran solution of
lithium diisopropylamide, and keeping the solution for later use; (2) cooling to a temperature
ranging from -85 DEG C to -80 DEG C, adding dropwise the
tetrahydrofuran solution of the
lithium diisopropylamide into a
tetrahydrofuran solution of 1,3,5-trifluorobenzene under
nitrogen protection, and reacting at a maintained temperature for 3-5 h after the addition is finished; (3) adding dropwise
dimethylformamide into the reaction solution, and maintaining the temperature at a temperature
ranging from -80 DEG C to -75 DEG C for 50-70 min; (4) maintaining the temperature to be -5-0 DEG C, adding dropwise glacial
acetic acid, water and diluted
hydrochloric acid in order into the reaction solution, adjusting the pH to be 1-2, and stirring the solution for 10-20 min after addition is finished to obtain a crude product; and (5) subjecting the crude product to after-treatment to obtain a target product that is the 2,4,6-trifluorobenzaldehyde. The
lithium diisopropylamide that is a non-nucleophilic
organic base is applied, thus providing a novel
route for preparing the 2,4,6-trifluorobenzaldehyde.