Abstract: On the basis of single factor experiments, the synthesis conditions of hydroxyl citronella aldehyde-1,2-propanediol acetal from hydroxycitronellal and 1,2-propylene glycol were optimized using response surface method (RSM). The results of the single factor experiments showed that the most significant factors were the substance ratio of hydroxycitronellal to 1,2-propylene glycol, the reaction temperature and the reaction time. According to the experiment design principle of Central Composite Design, the response surface method of three factors with three levels were employed, and the yield of target compound in the reaction system were taken as the response value to analyze the significance and interaction of the various factors. The optimal synthesis conditions were substance ratio of hydroxycitronellal to 1,2-propylene glycol 1:3.5, reaction temperature 38 ℃, reaction time 4.4 h, and substance ratio of hydroxycitronellal to toluene 1:2-1:2.5. Under the optimal conditions, the yield of target compound was 89.76%.