Pentaerythritol

Brief Overview
Pentaerythritol is an organic compound with the chemical formula C₅H­₁₂O₄. Pentaerythritol is white and crystalline in appearance with a stable solid. Pentaerythritol has found its use in a wide range of industries due to its multi-functionality and favourable physical & chemical properties.

Manufacturing Process
Pentaerythritol, is manufactured by a process comprising the reaction between formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and sodium hydroxide, and acidification with formic acid. The reaction takes place in a reactor with supplies of formaldehyde, sodium hydroxide, acetaldehyde and formic acid and at the end the solution formed is sent to a buffer tank of larger capacity than the reactor. 

Coating
Pentaerythritol is used in the surface coating field due to its excellent properties, such as high viscosity, ability of drying vehicles more rapidly than lower polyols, hardness, durability, colour stability and water resistance.

Manufacturing
Pentaerythritol is used in the manufacture of alkyd resin, fatty acid rosin, paints and coatings, printing ink, tall oil, dry oil, explosives (pentaerythritol tetranitrate and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate)