Abstract: A process for the preparation of epoxy resins having a specific reproducible content of .alpha.-glycol groups, which process comprises adding at least 0.0085 mol of glycidol or glycidol precursor compound per hydroxy-equivalent of a phenolic compound A which contains 2, 3 or 4 phenolic hydroxyl groups during the reaction of said phenolic compound A with an epihalohydrin which is unsubstituted or substituted in 2- or 3-position by C.sub.1 -C.sub.4 alkyl. The products may be used for surface protection.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of compounds of the formula I ##STR1## in which R is glycidyl, R.sub.1 and R.sub.3 independently of one another are C.sub.1 -C.sub.6 alkyl and R.sub.2 and R.sub.4 independently of one another are hydrogen or methyl, wherein(i) a diamine of the formula II ##STR2## in which R.sub.1,R.sub.2,R.sub.3 and R.sub.4 are as defined above, is reacted with epichlorohydrin in a molar ratio of 1:12 to 1:40 at a temperature of 80.degree. to 115.degree. C. and(ii) a phase transfer catalyst is mixed with the reaction mixture, the epichlorohydrin is subjected to distillation while being circulated and at the same time the dehydrochlorination is carried out with the addition of a concentrated, aqueous alkali metal of alkaline earth metal hydroxide solution and simultaneous removal of the water distilled off azeotropically.