Objective: By optimizing the reaction conditions for synthesizing 4-amino-1, 8 naphthalene anhydride compound through three steps of nitration, oxidation and reduction based on the raw material acenaphthene, the yield is improved and the synthesis cost is reduced, so that it can be used for large-scale preparation in the laboratory. Methods: The single variable method was used to explore the effect of temperature conditions on the yield of nitration reaction; to explore the effect of the amount of oxidant, heating and refluxing time, and product post-treatment on the yield of the oxidation reaction; to explore the effect of the amount of absolute ethanol and concentrated hydrochloric acid on the yield of the reduction reaction influences. After the reduction reaction, the gradient elution method of dichloromethane:methanol = 120:1~50:1 was adopted to separate and obtain pure 4-amino-1,8 naphthalene anhydride. Results: The yield of nitration reaction is up to 92.16%, the yield of oxidation reaction is up to 59.49%, and the yield of reduction reaction is up to 77.47%. The purified reduction products are analyzed by 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR and MS (ESI) and the structure was confirmed. Conclusion: The synthesis reaction conditions of 4-amino-1, 8 naphthalene anhydride were optimized, which was helpful for its large-scale preparation in the laboratory, and accumulated important basic experimental data for the industrial production of this compound.