Epoxy resin compositions

A process for preparing an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition including the steps of: (I) reacting a mixture of the following components: (a) an aliphatic or cycloaliphatic hydroxyl-containing material, (b) an epihalohydrin, (c) a stoichiometric excess of a base compound or basic acting substance, (d) a catalyst, and (e) optionally, a solvent; wherein the reacting step (I) is carried out under reaction conditions sufficient to form a crude aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition product in the resultant reaction mixture; (II) neutralizing the resultant reaction mixture of step (I) containing the crude aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition product with a phosphate neutralizing agent sufficient to partially neutralize the base or basic acting substance and to form a neutralized fluid medium containing aliphatic or cycloaliphatic epoxy resin composition product; (III) removing at least a portion of unreacted epihalohydrin from the reaction mixture of step (II); and (IV)