Pentaerythritol

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Chemical Name: 2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol

Abbreviations: PE, Penta, PE-T

Molecular Formula: C₅H₁₂O₄

Molecular Weight: 136.15

CAS No.: 115-77-5

EINECS No.: 204-104-9

Structural Formula:

Physicochemical Properties:

Pentaerythritol is a white crystalline solid with a high melting point, appearing as a free-flowing powder. It is odorless and exhibits very low vapor pressure. It possesses a slightly sweet taste, is essentially non-toxic, remains stable in air, and is not readily hygroscopic. It is slightly soluble in cold water but readily soluble in hot water; for high-purity grades, the solubility in water at 20°C and 75°C is 5.8 g/100 g and 37.1 g/100 g, respectively. It is insoluble in organic solvents such as acetone, ethyl acetate, ethanol, toluene, and cyclohexanone, but slightly soluble in ethylene glycol, diethylene glycol, and similar compounds.

Pentaerythritol is typically available in three standard grades: Mono Grade (or High-Purity Grade), Technical Grade, and Nitration Grade.

Characteristics and Applications:

Pentaerythritol features four primary hydroxyl groups and is one of the most widely used polyols. It is extensively utilized in the production of alkyd resin coatings, where it serves to enhance hardness and improve drying properties. In the field of polyurethanes, it is primarily employed as an initiator for rigid foam polyether polyols, as well as for use in polyurethane coatings. Pentaerythritol also serves as a raw material for numerous intermediates and products, such as pentaerythritol fatty acid esters and C5–C11 acid esters (high-performance synthetic lubricants); pentaerythritol rosin esters (used in printing inks, adhesives, etc.); tall oil pentaerythritol esters (esters derived from wood pulp tall oil, used in water-resistant, quick-drying oil-based varnishes); pentaerythritol tetranitrate (a raw material for explosives); chlorinated polyether resins; pentaerythritol acrylate (a cross-linking agent for light-curable coatings and inks); and phenolic antioxidants (e.g., Antioxidant 1010). Additionally, the finely powdered form of the product is utilized as an intumescent agent in flame-retardant coatings and as a plasticizer for PVC.

Toxicity:

Pentaerythritol is virtually non-toxic. Acute oral toxicity data for rats indicate an LD₅₀ of >16 g/kg for high-purity grade pentaerythritol, and >11 g/kg for industrial-grade pentaerythritol.