Epoxy resin compositions, methods of making same, and articles thereof

A method of making an epoxy resin comprising the steps of:

• a. forming a reaction mixture comprising a diol of Formula 3
• wherein n is 1, 2, or 3;
• each R1 is independently hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, C3-12 cycloalkyl, or C6-24 aryl;
• and each R2 is independently hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, hydroxyl, C1-12 hydroxyalkyl, or C6-24 hydroxyaryl, with the proviso that the diol has two hydroxyl, C1-12 hydroxyalkyl, or C6-24 hydroxyaryl groups;
• an epihalohydrin;
• a phase transfer catalyst;
• and optionally an organic solvent;
• b. contacting a basic acting substance and water with the reaction mixture of step (a);
• c. washing the mixture of step (b) with an aqueous solvent to substantially remove salts to form an epoxy resin comprising a diglycidyl ether of Formula 1
• wherein n is 1, 2, or 3;
• each R1 is independently hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, C3-12 cycloalkyl, or C6-24 aryl;
• and each R3 is independently hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, C3-12 cycloalkyl, C6-24 aryl, or a glycidyl ether group, with the proviso that the diglycidyl ether has two glycidyl ether groups;
• and
• d. isolating the epoxy resin.

A curable composition comprising:

• an epoxy resin comprising a diglycidyl ether of Formula 1
• wherein n is 1, 2, or 3;
• each R1 is independently hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, C3-12 cycloalkyl, or C6-24 aryl;
• and each R3 is independently hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, C3-12 cycloalkyl, C6-24 aryl, or a glycidyl ether group, with the proviso that the diglycidyl ether has two glycidyl ether groups;
• a curing agent;
• and
• optionally a curing catalyst.

A cured composition comprising a reaction product of an epoxy resin comprising a diglycidyl ether of Formula 1

• wherein n is 1, 2, or 3;
• each R1 is independently hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, C3-12 cycloalkyl, or C6-24 aryl;
• and each R3 is independently hydrogen, C1-12 alkyl, C3-12 cycloalkyl, C6-24 aryl, or a glycidyl ether group, with the proviso that the diglycidyl ether has two glycidyl ether groups;
• and
• a curing agent.