A series of zinc-based mixed oxides catalysts were prepared by urea precipitation. The catalysts were characterized by XRD, SEM, BET and CO2 -TPD and then studied for the synthesis of propylene carbonate(PC) from urea and 1, 2 - propylene glycol. The results showed the amount of alkali may be the main factors that affect the catalytic activity e.g. the strong basic sites may promote to reduce the activation energy of the reaction between PC and HPC. The yield of propylene carbonate could reach as high as 99.8% under the optimum reaction conditions:170℃，1h, PG: Urea=1.5, 300mmHg, 0.6g catalyst (quality of urea).Zn/Mg 1:4 catalyst after five times regeneration, PC yield was reduced by 2.2%.