The invention discloses a method for synthesizing 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride by taking o-xylene and bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate as raw materials. The method comprises the steps of: by taking o-xylene and bis(trichloromethyl) carbonate as the raw materials, performing acylation reaction in catalysis of anhydrous lewis acid, thus obtaining bis(3,4-ditolyl)methanone; fully oxidizing bis(3,4-ditolyl)methanone in a potassium permanganate / hydrochloric acid system, and carrying out filtration, concentration, crystallization and the like to obtain 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid; performing vacuum high-temperature melting and dehydration to 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic acid to obtain the 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride product. The preparation method has the advantages of being simple in technology, high in yield, fewer in three wastes, capable of recycling anhydrous lewis acid, low in production cost and easy for industrial implementation, and the like.