Process for making diglycidylether of alkoxylated resorcinol

A method of preparing of diglycidyl ethers of the following formula:

• where R=an ethoxy or propoxy group and n=1 to 3 comprising:
• (a) mixing a dihydroxy aromatic compound with an alkylene carbonate in the presence of a triorganophosphine catalyst using a stoichiometric excess of alkylene carbonate;
• (b) reacting the mixture of step (a) at a temperature sufficient to initiate and maintain evolution of CO2 for a length of time sufficient to achieve the reaction of said dihydric phenol and said alkylene carbonate to produce an aromatic diol;
• (c) reacting the product of step (b) with an epihalohydrin, in the presence of a second catalyst selected from the group consisting of antimony trihalide, indium halide and tellurium halide, at a temperature sufficient to allow the reaction to occur;
• (d) cooling the mixture of step (c) to ≦100° C.;
• (e) adding a solvent to the mixture of step (d);
• (f) adding a caustic to the mixture of step (e);
• (g) adding water to the mixture of step (f);
• and
• (h) allowing the mixture of step (g) to settle for an amount of time sufficient to permit phase separation to occur.