Pentaerythritol
| Names | |
|---|---|
| IUPAC name
2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)1,3-propanediol
| |
| Properties | |
| C5H12O4 | |
| Density | 1.396g/cm3 |
| Melting point | 260.5 °C (500.9 °F; 533.6 K) |
| Boiling point | 276 °C (529 °F; 549 K) |
| 5.6 g/100 mL (15 °C) | |
| Solubility | ethanol, ethylene glycol, formamide, glycerol, methanol |
| Vapor pressure | 0.00000008 mmHg (20°C) |
| Hazards | |
| Flash point | 200.1 °C |
| Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). | |
| Infobox references | |
Pentaerythritol (sometimes shortened to PE) is an organic compound with the formula C5H12O4, a polyol with the neopentane backbone. It has no relation to erythritol.
Contents
Properties
Chemical
Pentaerythritol can react with with various halogenated organic compounds to yield many ethers or esters. It can also react with benzaldehyde.
Physical
PE is a white crystalline solid, with no smell (if pure). It has a density of 1.396g/cm3. PE is slightly soluble in water (5.6 g/100 mL at 15 °C). It is also soluble in ethanol, ethylene glycol, formamide, glycerol, methanol, but insoluble in aprotic organic solvents such as acetone, benzene, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, diethyl ether, paraffin.
Availability
Pentaerythritol is sold by chemical suppliers. Some products may contain traces of borax as additive.
Certain cosmetics contain a small amount of PE or its derivates.
Preparation
Pentaerythritol can be made by reacting formaldehyde with acetaldehyde, in the presence of a strong base, such as sodium hydroxide, though calcium hydroxide can also be used. A full recipe can be found here.
Acetaldehyde can be replaced with lactonitrile.[1]
Reacting formaldehyde with 3-hydroxybutanal in the presence of lead(II) hydroxide also yields pentaerythritol.[2][3]
It can also be prepared from propylene oxyide.[4]
Projects
- Make pentaerythritol tetraacrylate
- Make Pentaerythritol tetranitrate PETN
- Make blue aluminium
Handling
Safety
Pentaerythritol is irritant to skin, eyes, nose and mouth. It presents some toxicity if ingested.[5]
Storage
In closed bottles, away from any flame source or oxidizer.
Disposal
Can be safely burned.
References
- ↑ http://www.google.com/patents/US2711431
- ↑ Zhurnal Russkago Fiziko-Khimicheskago Obshchestva (1913), vol. 45, p. 1452
- ↑ Chemisches Zentralblatt (1914), vol. 85, nb. I, p. 758
- ↑ https://www.google.gg/patents/US20120016049
- ↑ http://www.sciencelab.com/msds.php?msdsId=9926416
