| Abstract: | The novel cycloaliphatic epoxide 3,4‐epoxycyclohexylmethyl‐2′,3′‐epoxycyclohexyl ether ( II ) containing an unsymmetrical epoxycyclohexyl moiety linked via an ether bond, and its precursor 3‐cyclohexene‐1‐methyl‐2′‐cyclohexene ether ( I ) were synthesized. Their structure was confirmed by means of elemental analysis, FT‐IR and 1H NMR spectroscopy. Compared with commercial epoxide ERL‐4221, the newly synthesized epoxide II shows a higher epoxy value (0.85 eq/g) and lower viscosity (86 mpa·s/25°C). The cured product, based on epoxide II and curing agent hexahydro‐4‐methylphthalic anhydride (HMPA), showed higher glass transition temperature (162°C), higher storage modulus at the glass transition region (2.95 GPa), higher crosslinking density (1.60×10–3 mol/cm3) and a lower coefficient of thermal expansion (6.22×10–5/°C). |
