FIELD: organic chemistry, chemical technology, coating materials. SUBSTANCE: invention relates to coating composition containing compound comprising at least one bicyclo-ortho-ester group and at least one other functional group exhibiting chemical activity with respect to hydroxyl and the second compound comprising at least groups exhibiting chemical activity with respect to hydroxyl. Invention relates also to hardening method of the composition wherein latent hydroxyl groups of bicyclo-ortho-ester groups are unblocked in the presence of water and subjected for interaction with groups of the first and/or the second compound that show chemical activity with respect to hydroxyl being in the presence of the second catalyst possibly. Invention relates also to preparing 4-ethyl-1- (ethoxycarbonylmethyl)-2,6,7-trioxabicyclo[2,2,2] - octane by interaction of diethylmalonate with 3-ethyl-3- hydroxymethyloxitane in the presence of catalytic amount of dibutyltin oxide at temperature above 180 C. Invention provides high film thickness and working life of composition. EFFECT: improved preparing method, valuable properties of composition. 14 cl, 1 tbl, 13 ex
