Process for producing polycarbonate

A process for producing a polycarbonate by transesterification, which comprises reacting in a molar ratio of 1:0.9 to 1.50 respectively, a dihydroxyl compound with a diester of carbonic acid in a reactor having a surface area made of a substance in which the reactants are brought into contact with, said reaction being conducted in the presence of (a) a nitrogen-containing, electron-donating compound or (b) a nitrogen-containing, electron-donating compound and an alkali metal compound or alkaline earth metal compound and at a temperature of about 100.degree. C. to 300.degree. C. and a pressure of 0.3 Torr or below at the completion of the reaction, said substance not containing iron, nickel or polytetrafluoroethylene and being selected from the group consisting of:

• (a) an inorganic material selected from the group consisting of a silicate, an oxide, a carbide, a nitride, a boride, a silicide and a carbonaceous material;
• (b) a metal selected from the group consisting of Cr, Mo, Al , Cu, Zn, Co and Mn;
• and
• (c) a metal alloy selected from the group consisting of an alloy which contains Cr and/or Co in an amount of 50% by weight or above, an alloy which contains Al and/or Mn in an amount of 50% by weight or above, an alloy which contains Cr in an amount of 50% by weight or above and an alloy containing Cu and Cr in an amount of 50% by weight or above.