Starting from 4-AA and p-nitrobenzyl 2-diazoacetoacetate, imipenem mother nuclide, p-nitrobenzyl-(5R,6S)-6-[1R]-(1-hydroxyethyl)-3,7-dione-1-azabicyclo (3.2.0)heptane-2-carboxylate, was synthesized in 3 steps.Firstly, aldol reaction was performed between 4-AA and silyl enol ether product of p-nitrobenzyl 2-diazoacetoacetate and trimethylsilyl iodide,then a direct hydrolysis reaction was followed without separation, and finally, carbene cyclization reaction was conducted.The chem. structure of the product was confirmed by 1H-NMR and MS, and the total yield was 83%based on 4-AA.The preparation method has advantages of high yield and purity of the product, simple operation and suitable for industrial production