Polyether compounds, epoxy resins, epoxy resin compositions, and processes for production thereof

A process for producing a polyether compound having ether groups and vinyl double bonds represented by formula (I) ##STR40## wherein R.sub.1 represents a residue of an organic compound having l active hydrogen atoms, n.sub.1 through n.sub.l each represents 0 or an integer of from 1 to 100, the sum of the integers represented by n.sub.1 through n.sub.l is from 1 to 100, and

• l represents an integer of from 1 to 100, and A represents ##STR41## comprising reacting a compound having active hydrogen atoms with 4-vinylcyclohexene-1-oxide in the presence of a catalyst.

An epoxy resin represented by formula (II) ##STR42## wherein R.sub.1 represents a residue of an organic compound having l active hydrogen atoms, n.sub.1 through n.sub.l each represents 0 or an integer of from 1 to 100, the sum of the integers represented by n.sub.1 through n.sub.l is from 1 to 100, and

• l represents an integer of from 1 to 100, and B is an oxycyclohexane unit having a substituent and is represented by formula (III) ##STR43## wherein X represents ##STR44## --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, or ##STR45## groups, wherein R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group, an alkylcarbonyl group, or an arylcarbonyl group, provided that the epoxy resin represented by formula (II) contains at least one ##STR46## group.

A process for producing an epoxy resin represented by formula (II) ##STR47## wherein R.sub.1 represents a residue of an organic compound having l active hydrogen atoms, n.sub.1 through n.sub.l each represents 0 or an integer of from 1 to 100, the sum of the integers represented by n.sub.1 through n.sub.l is from 1 to 100, and

• l represents an integer of from 1 to 100, and B is an oxycyclohexane unit having a substituent and is represented by formula (III) ##STR48## wherein X represents a ##STR49## --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, or ##STR50## groups, wherein R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group, an alkylcarbonyl group, or an arylcarbonyl group, provided that the epoxy resin represented by formula (II) contains at least one ##STR51## group, comprising reacting a polyether compound represented by formula (I) ##STR52## wherein R.sub.1 and n.sub.1 through n.sub.l are the same as defined above, and A represents ##STR53## with an epoxidating agent.

An epoxy resin composition comprising a curing agent and an epoxy resin represented by formula (II) ##STR54## wherein R.sub.1 represents a residue of an organic compound having l active hydrogen atoms, n.sub.1 through n.sub.l each represents 0 or an integer of from 1 to 100, the sum of the integers represented by n.sub.1 through n.sub.l is from 1 to 100, and l represents an integer of from 1 to 100, and B is an oxycyclohexane unit having a substituent and is represented by formula (III) ##STR55## wherein X represents a ##STR56## --CH.dbd.CH.sub.2, or ##STR57## groups, wherein R.sub.2 represents an alkyl group, an alkylcarbonyl group, or an arylcarbonyl group, provided that the epoxy resin represented by formula (II) contains at least one ##STR58## group.