Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether

Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether (commonly abbreviated BADGE or DGEBA) is an organic compound used as constituent of epoxy resins. The compound is a colorless solid (commercial samples can appear yellow) that melts slightly above room temperature.
Preparation and reactions.
It is prepared by O-alkylation of bisphenol A with epichlorohydrin. This reaction mainly affords bisphenol A diglycidyl ether, as well as some oligomer. The degree of polymerization may be as low as 0.1. The epoxide content of such epoxy resins is of interest. This parameter is commonly expressed as the epoxide number, which is the number of epoxide equivalents in 1 kg of resin (Eq./kg), or as the equivalent weight, which is the weight in grams of resin containing 1 mole equivalent of epoxide (g/mol). Since unsymmetrical epoxides are chiral, the bis epoxide consists of three stereoisomers, although these are not separated.
Bisphenol A diglycidyl ether slowly hydrolyzes to 2,2-bis[4(2,3-hydroxypropoxy)phenyl)propane (bis-HPPP).
Similarly, DGEBA reacts with acrylic acid to give vinyl ester resins. The reaction results in opening of the epoxide ring, generating unsaturated esters at each terminus of the molecule. Such materials are often diluted with styrene and converted to resin.
Epoxy resins are thermosetting polymers, which are crosslinked using hardeners (curing agents). The most common curing agents for epoxy resins are polyamines, aminoamides, and phenolic compounds.
Safety.
Bisphenol A has attracted much attention as a potential endocrine disruptor. It has antiandrogen and PPARγ-modulating properties.
BADGE is listed as an IARC Group 3 carcinogen, meaning it is "not classifiable as to its carcinogenicity to humans". From the 1990s onward, concern has been raised over this possible carcinogenicity because BADGE is also used in epoxy resins in the lining of some tin cans for foodstuffs, and unreacted BADGE may end up in the contents of those cans.