Hydrolysis of polycarbonate (PC) was studied using ionic liquid 1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium acetate ([Bmiml[Ac]) as a catalyst. The influences of temperature, time, water dosage and [Bmim][Ac] dosage on the hydrolysis reaction were examined. Under the conditions of temperature 140 degrees C, reaction time 3.0 h, m([Bmim[Ac]):m(PC)= 1.5:1 and m(H2O):m(PC)= 0.35:1, the conversion of PC was nearly 100% and the yield of bisphenol A (BPA) was over 96%. The ionic liquid could be reused up to 6 times without apparent decrease in the conversion of PC and yield of BPA. The kinetics of the reaction was also investigated. The results showed that the hydrolysis of PC in [Bmim][Ac) was a first-order kinetic reaction with an activation energy of 228 kJ/mol. (C) 2012 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.