Functional Roles
Industries Served
Physical Properties
physical_description
Colorless to white, crystalline, odorless powder. [Note: Technical grade is 88% monopentaerythritol & 12% dipentaerythritol.]; [NIOSH]
color/form
Colorless to white, crystalline powder [Note: Technical grade is 88% monopentaerythritol & 12% dipentaerythritol].
odor
Odorless
boiling_point
Sublimes (NIOSH, 2024)
melting_point
502 u00b0F (USCG, 1999)
flash_point
About 240 u00b0C (open cup)
solubility
Soluble in ethanol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, formamide. Insoluble in acetone, benzene, paraffin, ether, carbon tetrachloride
density
1.39 at 77 u00b0F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink
vapor_density
Relative vapor density (air = 1): 4.7
vapor_pressure
Vapor pressure, Pa at 20 u00b0C: 0.013
logp
log Kow = -1.69
stability/shelf_life
Stable in air
autoignition_temperature
842 u00b0F (USCG, 1999)
decomposition
When heated to decomposition it emits acrid smoke and irritating fumes.
heat_of_combustion
-8.730 BTU/LB= -4.850 CAL/G= -203X10+5 J/KG
refractive_index
Index of refraction: 1.548 at 25 u00b0C/D
dissociation_constants
pKa = 14.10
other_experimental_properties
Viscous liquid. Index of refraction: 1.491 at 20 u00b0C/D. Specific gravity: 1.544 at 20 u00b0C/ 0.705 at 4 u00b0C. Viscosity: 166.8 at 40 u00b0C; 77.8 at 50 u00b0C. Solubility in water: 0.705 g/100 mL at 20 u00b0C; in benzene 21.40 g/100 mL at 20 u00b0C. Very soluble in ethanol, ether. Forms a cryst hydrate, mp 32 u00b0C, when washed with water and allowed to stand overnight at 20 u00b0C; returns to unhydrated form when allowed to stand at 60 u00b0C for 2 hours. When used medicinally it is usually diluted with lactose or mannitol to reduce explosive liability. /Pentrinitrol/
Chemical Identity
| CAS Number | 115-77-5 |
| IUPAC Name | 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol |
| InChI Key | WXZMFSXDPGVJKK-UHFFFAOYSA-N |
| PubChem CID | 8285 |
| INCI Name | PENTAERYTHRITOL |
Synonyms & Trade Names
Full Description
Pentaerythritol (CAS 115-77-5) is a tetrahydric alcohol polyol with the molecular formula C5H12O4, functioning as a humectant in industrial applications. This solid crystalline compound with a melting point of 502°F serves critical roles in coatings & construction, HI&I cleaning, lubricants, and water treatment industries. With its four hydroxyl groups and high solubility in polar solvents, pentaerythritol provides effective moisture retention properties for specialized industrial formulations.