A process for making an aromatic glycidyl ether epoxy compound by contacting an allyl ether made from the hydroxy moiety of a hydroxy-containing aromatic compound with an inorganic or organic hydroperoxide oxidant in the presence of a transition metal complex catalyst, wherein at least (a) the allyl ether is conformationally restricted or (b) the transition metal complex catalyst contains at least one or more stable ligands attached to the transition metal. The process of the present invention provides for epoxidizing aryl allyl ethers with high epoxidation yield (for example, greater than 70% to 90%) and high hydroperoxide selectivity (for example, greater than 70% to 90%).