Hydrolysis of propylene carbonate to 1,2-propylene glycol was performed by using a SBIL catalyst. The effects of temperature, reaction time, the molar ratio of water to propylene carbonate, choice of catalyst, and the amount of catalyst were investigated. It was found that more than 99% yield and selectivity were obtained in the presence of SBIL under the optimum conditions. Additionally, the catalyst could be reused at least up to five times with slight loss of catalytic activity. (c) 2007 Published by Elsevier B.V.