Hydrolysis of ethylene carbonate to ethylene glycol over K₂CO₃/MgO/γ-Al₂O₃

K₂CO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ and K₂CO₃/MgO/γ-Al₂O₃ solid base catalysts with different loading were prepared by impregnation and used in the hydrolysis of ethylene carbonate (EC) to ethylene glycol (EG). The surface structure and alkaline of the catalysts were investigated by means of XRD and CO₂-TPD. The effects of K₂CO₃ and MgO loadings, reaction temperature, and mole ratio of H₂O to EC on the hydrolysis were studied. The results showed that both the conversion of EC and the selectivity to EG could reach 100% under the conditions of 10%(w)K₂CO₃/10%(w)MgO/γ-Al₂O₃ as the catalyst, 120 ℃, mole ratio of H₂O to EC 1.2, 0.6 MPa and 3 h. The K₂CO₃/MgO/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst had high activity and stability, much better than the K₂CO₃/γ-Al₂O₃ catalyst.