Abstract: The synthetic technology of 2-hydroxy-3-pinanone from α-pinene was studied. Affecting factors such as cosolvent were investigated. The optimum technology was obtained as follows:using tert-butyl alcohol as cosolvent, taking no measure to change pH value, reaction temperature 0-5℃, ratio of n(KMnO4):n(α-pinene) 1.7:1-1.8:1, addition of potassium permanganate after α-pinene. The structure of the product was characterized by IR, MS, 1HNMR and 13CNMR. The yield of 2-hydroxy-3-pinanone was up to 60%, ashigh as the literatures reported before. The recovery of tert-butyl alcohol washigher than 90%, which washigher than that of acetone (70%), the cosolvent used ever before.