The invention provides a process for the preparation of an allyl alkyl ether comprising the allylation of an aliphatic hydroxyl containing compound with an allyl source in the presence of a catalyst, wherein the catalyst is a transition metal complex with a phosphine ligand, wherein the allylation is carried out in the presence of an acid in an amount of at least 0.1 mol % calculated on the aliphatic hydroxyl containing compound. This invention further provides a process for the preparation of epoxy resins wherein as intermediate use is made of the allyl alkyl ethers prepared by the process of the invention.