Abstract: A process for the production of glycidyl ether of an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic or araliphatic primary or secondary alcohol, comprising:A) reacting epichlorohydrin with a molar excess of the alcohol in the presence of a Lewis acid catalyst; optionallyB) dehydrochlorinating the product so obtained; andC) reacting the product from step A) or B) with a molar excess of epichlorohydrin in the presence of alkali and a phase transfer catalyst, and then isolating the glycidyl ether product so obtained.

Abstract: The new compound N,N,N'N'-tetraglycidyl-3,3'-diethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane and curable resin compositions containing it.

Abstract: A process for the production of a material having an increased molecular weight relative to the diepoxide starting material the material being either a hydroxy-terminated or an epoxy-terminated material comprisinga) reacting a diepoxide with a dihydroxy compound, in the presence, as catalyst, of a triflate salt of a metal of Group IIA, IIB, IIIA, IIIB, or VIIIA of the Periodic Table of Elements (according to the IUPAC 1970 convention);b) de-activating the triflate salt catalyst; andc) optionally advancing the material produced in step b), with an aromatic diol or phenol.

Abstract: A compound having the formula (I): ##STR1## in which n is an integer ranging from 2 to 6; X is the residue of an optionally substituted primary or secondary aliphatic or cycloaliphatic polyol of formula II:X(OH).sub.n IIin which X and n have their previous significance; and Z is a group of formula:--CH.sub.2 --CH(CH.sub.2 OY)--in which Y is the residue of an optionally substituted primary or secondary aliphatic or cycloaliphatic monohydric alcohol, or Z is a group of formula: ##STR2## in which W is an optionally substituted aliphatic carbon chain, which may contain one or more heteroatoms, or Z is a group of formula--CH.sub.2 --CH(T)--in which T is an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic alkyl group.

Abstract: The new compound N,N,N'N'-tetraglycidyl-3,3'-diethyl-4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane and curable resin compositions containing it.

Abstract: A process for the production of a glycidyl ether of an alcohol, comprising reacting an alcohol with epichlorohydrin, in substantially the stoichiometric proportions required to produce the 1:1 adduct, in the presence, as catalyst, of a salt of perchloric acid or trifluoromethane sulphonic acid with a metal of Group IIIA of the Periodic Table of Elements (according to the IUPAC 1970 convention); and then dehydrochlorinating the product so obtained.

Abstract: An epoxide resin having the formula I: ##STR1## in which R.sup.1 to R.sup.4 are the same or different and each is hydrogen or C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl; R.sup.5 to R.sup.12 are the same or different and each is C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or alkenyl or the glycidyl residue such that at least two R.sup.5 to R.sup.12 groups are glycidyl residues; and R.sup.13 to R.sup.20 are the same or different and are hydrogen, halogen C.sub.1 -C.sub.12 alkyl or alkenyl.

Abstract: Aromatic N-glycidylamines are prepared by treatment of an amine having at least one, and preferably two or more aromatic amino hydrogen atoms, with epichlorohydrin in the presence, as catalyst, of a di- or higher-valent metal salt of nitric or perchloric acid, or of a carboxylic or sulphonic acid substituted by fluorine, chlorine or bromine on the carbon atom alpha to the carboxylic or sulphonic acid group, and dehydrochlorinating the product. The presence of the metal salt gives a product having a higher glycidyl content and a lower viscosity than does the same reaction in the absence of such a salt.Suitable aromatic amines include aniline, phenylene diamines, phenylene diamines substituted on the aromatic ring and bis(4-aminophenyl)methane. The metal salt may be of, for example, magnesium, calcium, zinc, manganese, nickel, iron, lanthanum, vanadium, ytterbium or uranium.