The addition reaction of 2,2-bis-[4-(2,3-epoxypropoxy)-phenyl]-propane (DGEBA) and preformed complexes of metal ions and disecondary diamines led to a large quantity of cyclic epoxide-amine oligomers. As shown by gel permeation chromatographic analysis, cycles of n = 1, 2, and 3 were formed. Functional epoxide end groups of the prepared oligomers were completely missing in the IR and H-1 NMR and C-13 NMR spectra. In the fast atom bombardment and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectra, the molecular ions of the n = 1, 2, 3 cycles of DGEBA and N,N'-dibenzyl-5-oxanonanediamine-1,9 were detected at m/z = 680, 1361, and 2042. (C) 2003 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.