The influences of acid-base properties of metal oxides on the catalytic performance for synthesis of propylene carbonate from urea and 1,2-propanediol was investigated, and the reaction was stepwise. The amphoteric ZnO showed the best activity, and the yield of propylene carbonate reached 98.9%. The urea decomposition over oxides was characterized by using FTIR. ZnO, CaO, MgO and La2O3 were favorable to promote urea decomposition to form the isocyanate species, and the formation of isocyanate species was the key to urea alcoholysis. The catalytic activity of urea decomposition was consistency to the catalytic performance for synthesis of propylene carbonate. Based on these, the probable reaction mechanism was proposed. (C) 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.