| abstract |
The present invention relates to the preparation of di-secondary alcohols comprising the reaction of an alcohol and a diglycidyl ether of a dihydric phenol in the presence of a catalyst of the formula (IV): n n MX (IV) n n wherein M is a metal from Groups IB to VIIIB or a metal or metalloid from Groups IIA to VA of the Periodic Chart of Elements or an ammonium ion and X is an anion selected from the group consisting of BF 4 - , PF 6 - , AsF 6 - , SbF 6 - , AlF 4 - , TiF 6 2- , SiF 6 2- , and ZrF 6 2- to produce the di-secondary alcohol, which can then be subjected to glycidylation to produce a glycidyl ether, or n the reaction of an alcohol, glycol or polyol and epichlorohydrin in the presence of the foregoing catalyst, followed by ring closure employing an alkali to produce a mono- or polyglycidyl ether. The monoglycidyl ether can be further reacted with a dihydric phenol to produce a di-secondary alcohol which is then glycidylized to produce a glycidyl ether. |