Emulsifiers for epoxy resins

A process for the preparation of emulsifiers E1, comprising:

• (a) reacting a polyol having at least three OH groups, with an alkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of propylene oxide and a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide containing at least 65 mole % propylene oxide, based on the sum of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, to give an intermediate Z1 having at least two OH groups,
• (b) reacting said intermediate Z1 with epichlorohydrin, provided that on average at least two of the OH groups present in Z1 are reacted, thereby forming an intermediate Z2 having at least two epoxide groups, and
• (c) reacting said intermediate Z2 with an adduct of an alkylene oxide selected from the group consisting of ethylene oxide and a mixture of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide containing at least 65 mole % ethylene oxide, based on the sum of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide, with at least one C1-C22 monoalcohol, provided that on average at least one epoxide group of said intermediate Z2 is reacted and on average at least one epoxide group originating from said intermediate Z2 is retained, thereby providing compounds E1.