Pentaeritritolo (Pentaerythritol) is a chemical compound, an aliphatic poly-alcohol mainly used as a chemical reagent and in the polymer industry.

The name describes the structure of the molecule:

The term "Pentaerythritol" can be broken down into "penta-" meaning "five" and "erythritol", another alcohol. However, it's somewhat misleading as pentaerythritol has four alcohol groups, not five.

Raw materials and their use.

• Acetaldehyde - An organic compound used in various chemical syntheses.
• Formaldehyde - A simple gas used in numerous industrial applications, including the production of resins and plasticizers.

Synthesis process.

• Alkaline condensation - Acetaldehyde and formaldehyde are reacted in an alkaline environment.
• Purification - The crude product is purified through processes such as crystallization.
• Separation - The crystallized product is separated from byproducts and impurities.

It appears in the form of a white powder.

What it is for and where

Explosives: It is used in the production of explosives for ammunition, landmines, and pyrotechnic devices.

Paints and Coatings: It is employed in the manufacturing of paints, coatings, and adhesives due to its ability to enhance product stability and durability.

Lubricant Additives: It is used as an additive to improve the lubricating properties of industrial oils and greases.

Flame Retardants: It finds application in the production of flame retardant materials and resins.

Pharmaceuticals: In the pharmaceutical field, Pentaerythritol can be used in the production of certain medicines.

Stabilizers: It is used as a stabilizer in plastic materials to increase their strength and longevity.

Cosmetics

• Skin conditioning agent. It is the mainstay of topical skin treatment as it has the function of restoring, increasing or improving skin tolerance to external factors, including melanocyte tolerance. The most important function of the conditioning agent is to prevent skin dehydration, but the subject is rather complex and involves emollients and humectants that can be added in the formulation.
• Humectant. Hygroscopic compound used to minimise water loss in the skin and to prevent it from drying out by facilitating faster and greater absorption of water into the stratum corneum of the epidermis.  The epidermis is the most superficial of the three layers that make up human skin (epidermis, dermis and hypodermis) and is the layer that maintains hydration in all three layers. In turn, the epidermis is composed of five layers: horny, the most superficial, granular, spinous, shiny, and basal. Humectants have the ability to retain the water they attract from the air in the stratum corneum and have the function of moisturising the skin. They are best used before emollients, which are oil-based.

• Molecular Formula  C₅H₁₂O₄
• Molecular Weight    136.15 g/mol
• CAS  115-77-5
• UNII    SU420W1S6N
• EC Number   204-104-9
• DTXSID2026943