PURPOSE: To obtain a polycarbonate excellent in hue, heat resistance and water resistance.

CONSTITUTION: This polycarbonate is obtained by melt-polycondensing e.g. an aromatic dihydroxy compound with a carbonic acid diester in the presence of specified catalyst and has a hydroxyl terminal content of 30mol% or above based on the total content of the hydroxyl groups, a sodium content of 1ppm or below, and a chlorine content of 20ppm or below. It is more desirable that this carbonate has a sodium content of 0.5ppm or below and a chlorine content of 10ppm or below. It is desirable that it has an intrinsic viscosity [η] of 0.3-1.0dl/g as measured in methylene chloride at 20°C.