Pentaerythritol

Pentaerythritol

Pentaerythritol

Chemical compound

Pentaerythritol is an organic compound with the formula C(CH2OH)4. Classified as a polyol, it is a white solid. Pentaerythritol is a building block for the synthesis and production of explosives, plastics, paints, appliances, cosmetics, and many other commercial products.

Quick Facts Names, Identifiers ...

The word pentaerythritol is a blend of penta- in reference to its 5 carbon atoms and erythritol, which also possesses 4 alcohol groups.

Synthesis

Pentaerythritol was first reported in 1891 by German chemist Bernhard Tollens and his student P. Wigand.[5] It may be prepared via a base-catalyzed multiple-addition reaction between acetaldehyde and 3 equivalents of formaldehyde to give pentaerythrose (CAS: 3818-32-4), followed by a Cannizzaro reaction with a fourth equivalent of formaldehyde to give the final product plus formate ion.[6]

Uses

Pentaerythritol is a versatile building block for the preparation of many compounds,[7] particularly polyfunctionalized derivatives. applications include alkyd resins, varnishes, polyvinyl chloride stabilizers, tall oil esters, antioxidants (e.g. Anox 20). Such derivatives are found in plastics, paints, cosmetics, and many other products.[8]

Esters of pentaerythitol are biodegradable,[9][10] and they are used as transformer oils.[11] Due to a very high flash point they also find some use in lubricating gas turbines.[12]

Polyester derivatives

Pentaerythritol is a precursor to esters of the type C(CH2OX)4. Such derivatives are pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), a vasodilator and explosive, the trinitrate derivative pentrinitrol (Petrin), the tetraacetate normosterol (PAG), and the polymer cross-linking agents pentaerythritol tetraacrylate and pentaerythritol tetrakis(3-mercaptopropionate).[13][14]

Fire retardants

Pentaerythritol is used as a fire retardant, such as in plastics and intumescent paints and coatings. It releases water upon heating and leaves a deposit of thermally insulating char.[15]

See also

References

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    Nomenclature of Organic Chemistry: IUPAC Recommendations and Preferred Names 2013 (Blue Book). Cambridge: The Royal Society of Chemistry. 2014. p. 691. doi:10.1039/9781849733069-FP001. ISBN 978-0-85404-182-4.
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    Yalkowsky, Samuel H. (2010). Handbook of aqueous solubility data (Second ed.). Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press. p. 185. ISBN 9781439802465.
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    Yadav, Manish G.; Vadgama, Rajeshkumar N.; Kavadia, Monali R.; Odaneth, Annamma Anil; Lali, Arvind M. (September 2019). "Production of Pentaerythritol Monoricinoleate (PEMR) by immobilized Candida antarctica lipase B". Biotechnology Reports. 23: e00353. doi:10.1016/j.btre.2019.e00353. PMC 6599945. PMID 31304100.
  4. [4]
    NIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical Hazards. "#0485". National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).
  5. [5]
    Tollens, B.; Wigand, P. (1891). "Ueber den Penta-Erythrit, einen aus Formaldehyd und Acetaldehyd synthetisch hergestellten vierwerthigen Alkohol (On pentaerythritol, a quaternary alcohol synthetically produced from formaldehyde and acetaldehyde)" (PDF). Justus Liebig's Annalen der Chemie (in German). 265 (3): 316–340. doi:10.1002/jlac.18912650303.
  6. [6]
    Schurink, H. B. J. (1925). "Pentaerythritol". Organic Syntheses. 4: 53. doi:10.15227/orgsyn.004.0053; Collected Volumes, vol. 1, p. 425.
  7. [7]
    Marrian, S. F. (1 August 1948). "The Chemical Reactions of Pentaerythritol and its Derivatives". Chemical Reviews. 43 (1): 149–202. doi:10.1021/cr60134a004. PMID 18876970.
  8. [8]
    Werle, Peter; Morawietz, Marcus; Lundmark, Stefan; Sörensen, Kent; Karvinen, Esko; Lehtonen, Juha (2008). "Alcohols, Polyhydric". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a01_305.pub2. ISBN 978-3527306732.
  9. [9]
    NPCS Board of Consultants & Engineers (2016). The Complete Book on Adhesives, Glues & Resins Technology (with Process & Formulations) 2nd Revised Edition.
  10. [10]
    NIIR Board of Engineers & Consultants (2005). Synthetic Resins Technology Handbook.
  11. [11]
    Rudnick, Leslie R. (22 December 2005). Synthetics, Mineral Oils, and Bio-Based Lubricants: Chemistry and Technology. ISBN 9781420027181.
  12. [12]
    Bhushan, Bharat (28 December 2000). Modern Tribology Handbook, Two Volume Set. ISBN 9780849377877.
  13. [13]
    S. F. Marrian (1948). "The Chemical Reactions of Pentaerythritol and its Derivatives". Chemical Reviews. 43 (1): 149–202. doi:10.1021/cr60134a004. PMID 18876970.
  14. [14]
    Hoyle, Charles E.; Bowman, Christopher N. (2010). "Thiol–Ene Click Chemistry". Angewandte Chemie International Edition. 49 (9): 1542–1543. doi:10.1002/anie.200903924.
  15. [15]
    Stoye, Dieter; et al. (2006). "Paints and Coatings". Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. Weinheim: Wiley-VCH. doi:10.1002/14356007.a18_359.pub2. ISBN 978-3527306732.
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