1-(3-Hydroxypropyl)-4-piperidone was prepared from 3-hydroxypropylamine and methyl acrylate through Michael addition, Dieckmann cyclization and decarboxylation reaction under microwave irradiation. The technological parameters involved in Michael addition, Dieckmann cyclization and decarboxylation reaction were optimized. Structures of the target product and the intermediate were confirmed by 1H NMR and 13C NMR. The results show that n(3-hydroxypropylamine):n(methyl acrylate) = 1:2.4 reacted under microwave power 120W and 40℃ for 30min to give methyl 3-[(2-methoxycarbonylethyl)(3-hydroxypropyl)amino]propionate in 92.6%. 1-(3-Hydroxypropyl)-4-piperidone was obtained with the yield of 88.5% under the conditions of microwave power 200W and reflux for 20min and 25min in Dieckmann cyclization and decarboxylation reaction. The total yield of the target product was 81.9%.