MoO3/SiO2 were prepared by different methods and used as heterogeneous catalysts for the liquid-phase disproportionation of methyl phenyl carbonate (MPC) to diphenyl carbonate (DPC). The characterization of XRD, FT-IR and BET showed that the preparation methods remarkably affected the structural properties and catalytic activities of MoO3/SiO2. The MoO3/SiO2 prepared by a combined method of sol-gel and hydrothermal treatment (M-SGH) exhibited the highest catalytic activity, since high dispersion of MoO3, big specific surface area and large pores were obtained. Under the optimal conditions (200 degrees C, 2 h, using 0.9 g catalyst with a MoO3 loading of 15 wt%), the conversion of MPC reached 72.8% and the yield of DPC was 71.4%. Moreover, M-SGH showed excellent reusability and regeneration. After seven consecutive runs, the conversion of MPC decreased slightly from 72.8% to 56%. The formation of carbonate species on the catalyst surface was the main reason for the decrease of activity. The deactivated M-SGH could be facilely regenerated by calcination at 500 degrees C in air, and the catalytic activity of regenerated M-SGH was completely recovered to the same with that of fresh. (C) 2014 Published by Elsevier B.V.