1, 3-propanediol was synthesized from glycerol by chloration, oxidation, Clemmensen reaction and hydrolysis. The structure of the target compound was determined with IR and MS. The molar ratio, temperature and solvent of the reaction were investigated to optimize the reaction conditions. The optimum conditions: for chloration: 120 ℃; for oxidation: 23-27 ℃, n (1,3-Dichloroacetone) : n (sodium dichromate) = 1.8:1, v(water): m (1,3-Dichloroacetone equaling) = 1 ml:1.4 g; and for Clemmensen reaction: n (1,3-Dichloropropane) : n (zinc) = 1:1.2 with water as the solvent, the overall yield was 37.1%.