Reaction of epoxides and carbon dioxide to corresponding cyclic carbonates using silica supported polyvinyl pyridine as a highly active heterogeneous base catalyst has been reported. Typical optimized PVP/SiO2 catalyst can be prepared from 10 wt.% loading of PVP using silica of surface area of 800 m(2) g(-1). The reaction gives 91% yield of propylene carbonate at 5.5 MPa CO2 pressure, 150 degrees C and 6 h. The catalyst was found to be recyclable over four recycles without any loss in the catalytic activity. (c) 2006 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.