Abstract: An improved process for the preparation of glycidyl ethers of formula I ##STR1## wherein Q is an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic radical of a valency m, R is --H or --CH.sub.3, and m is an integer from 1 to 10,by reacting an alcohol of formula Q--(OH).sub.m with m mol of an epihalohydrin of formula II ##STR2## in the presence of a catalyst to the corresponding halohydrin ether, and dehydrohalogenating said halohydrin ether with an alkali metal hydroxide to give a compound of formula I, wherein Q, m and R are as defined above and Hal is halogen,which process comprises using as catalysta) tin difluoride orb) a divalent tin halide in conjunction with a co-catalyst.