Pentaerythritol

1Identification

Name

Pentaerythritol

IUPAC name

2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol

CAS number

115-77-5 (also reported: 88201-29-0, 1632063-92-3)

EC number

204-104-9

Molecular formula

C5H12O4

Molecular weight

136.15 g/mol

InChIKey

WXZMFSXDPGVJKK-UHFFFAOYSA-N

SMILES

C(C(CO)(CO)CO)O

PubChem CID

8285

Synonyms

2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol, Pentek, Tetramethylolmethane, Auxinutril, Maxinutril, Monopentek, Pentaerythrite, Penetek, Metab-Auxil, Monopentaerythritol, Hercules P6, Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)methane, 2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol, Methane tetramethylol

Recommended uses

• Used to manufacture the explosive, pentaerythritol-tetranitrate (PETN); [ACGIH]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases
• In synthetic resins, in paint and varnish industries
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Alkyd resins, rosin and tall oil esters, special varnishes, pharmaceuticals, plasticizers, insecticides, synthetic lubricants, explosives, paint swelling agents.[Lewis RJ Sr; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th ed Wiley (2007)
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Filler Flame retardant Surface modifier Adhesion/cohesion promoter Intermediate Heat stabilizer Other Lubricating agent Dispersing agent Polymerization promoter Energy Releasers (explosives, motive propellant) Processing aids not otherwise specified Monomers
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)
• Surface modifier Filler Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable Flame retardant
  EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Description

• Pentaerythritol is an odorless white solid. Sinks and mixes slowly with water. (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Pentaerythritol is a tetrol that is neopentane in which one of the methyl hydrogens of all four methyl groups are replaced by hydroxy groups. It is a chemical intermediate used in the production of explosives, plastics, paints, appliances, and cosmetics. It has a role as a laxative and a flame retardant. It is a primary alcohol and a tetrol. It derives from a hydride of a neopentane.
  ChEBI
• RN given refers to parent cpd; structure in Merck Index, 9th ed, #6904
  Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)

2Hazard identification

Signal word

No signal word

Pictograms

None

Classification source

European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)

Precautionary statements

Health hazards

• Non-toxic; no symptoms likely (USCG, 1999)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Fire hazards

• Combustible. Finely dispersed particles form explosive mixtures in air.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

Hazards summary

• TLV Basis is gastrointestinal irritation; Rats survived doses up to 16 g/kg; Signs of toxicity in lethal oral doses studies are diarrhea, tremors, and ataxia; No adverse effects in rats, dogs, and guinea pigs exposed to dust for 6 hours/day for 90 days at 8000 mg/m3; In human volunteers, 85% of dose eliminated in the urine unchanged within 30 hours; [ACGIH]
  Haz-Map, Information on Hazardous Chemicals and Occupational Diseases

3Composition / information on ingredients

This page describes the pure substance. Commercial products may be solutions or mixtures. Check Section 3 of your supplier's SDS for concentrations and other ingredients.

4First-aid measures

• Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Pentaerythritol: Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin: WATER WASH - If this chemical contacts the skin, wash the contaminated skin with water. Breathing: FRESH AIR - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. Other measures are usually unnecessary. Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals
• (General first aid procedures) Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately. Skin: Water wash - If this chemical contacts the skin, wash the contaminated skin with water. Breathing: Fresh air Swallow: Medical attention immediately - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately.
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Symptoms of exposure

• Redness.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• irritation eyes, respiratory system
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

5Fire-fighting measures

• This chemical is a combustible solid. Use dry chemical, carbon dioxide, water spray, or alcohol foam extinguishers ... If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters. Notify local health and fire officials and pollution control agencies. From a secure, explosion-proof location, use water spray to cool exposed containers. If cooling streams are ineffective (venting sound increases in volume and pitch, tank discolors or the shows any signs of deforming), withdraw immediately to a secure position.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Hazardous combustion products

• Poisonous gases are produced in fire.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

6Accidental release measures

Spill cleanup

• Personal protection: particulate filter respirator adapted to the airborne concentration of the substance. Sweep spilled substance into covered containers. If appropriate, moisten first to prevent dusting. Remove airborne particles with fine water spray.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)
• Spill Handling: Evacuate and restrict persons not wearing protective equipment from area of spill or leak until cleanup is complete. Collect powdered material in the most convenient and safe manner and deposit in sealed containers. Ventilate area after clean-up is complete. It may be necessary to contain and dispose of this chemical as a hazardous waste. If material or contaminated runoff enters waterways, notify downstream users of potentially contaminated waters.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

7Handling and storage

• Separated from strong oxidants and strong acids.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

8Exposure controls / personal protection

Personal protective equipment

• Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Pentaerythritol: Skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for personal protective equipment for the body. Eyes: No recommendation is made specifying the need for eye protection. Wash skin: No recommendation is made specifying the need for washing the substance from the skin (either immediately or at the end of the work shift). Remove: No recommendation is made specifying the need for removing clothing that becomes wet or contaminated. Change: No recommendation is made specifying the need for the worker to change clothing after the workshift. (NIOSH, 2024)
  CAMEO Chemicals

Respirator recommendations

• Important additional information about respirator selection
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

9Physical and chemical properties

10Stability and reactivity

Reactivity

• PENTAERYTHRITOL is an alcohol. This compound is incompatible with the following: Organic acids, oxidizers [Note: Explosive compound is formed when a mixture of PE & thiophosphoryl chloride is heated.] (NIOSH, 2024).
  CAMEO Chemicals
• Water soluble.
  CAMEO Chemicals

Incompatible materials and hazardous reactions

• Mixtures with thiophosphoryl chloride react when heated to form a product that ignites and then explodes on contact with air.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Organic acids, oxidizers
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• Organic acids, oxidizers [Note: Explosive compound is formed when a mixture of PE & thiophosphoryl chloride is heated.]
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Chemical stability

• Stable in air
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

11Toxicological information

Routes of exposure

• inhalation, ingestion, skin and/or eye contact
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Target organs

• Eyes, respiratory system
  The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Short-term exposure effects

• The substance is mildly irritating to the eyes and respiratory tract.
  ILO-WHO International Chemical Safety Cards (ICSCs)

12Ecological information

Environmental fate

• Pentaerythritol's production and use in alkyd resins, rosin and tall oil esters, special varnishes, pharmaceuticals, plasticizers, insecticides, synthetic lubricants, explosives, paint swelling agents may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams. If released to air, an estimated vapor pressure of 2.5X10-8 mm Hg at 25 °C indicates pentaerythritol will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the atmosphere. Vapor-phase pentaerythritol will be degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals; the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 26 hrs.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Ecotoxicity

• EC50; Species: Selenastrum capricornutum (Algae); Conditions: static; Concentration: >1000 mg/L for 72 hr; Effect: inhibition of growth rate, biomass /99.9% purity/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• EC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea, age 1-3 days); Conditions: freshwater, static; Concentration: 40000 mg/L for 24 hr (95% confidence interval: 35026-45680 mg/L); Effect: intoxication, immobilization /formulation/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• EC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea, age 1-3 days); Conditions: freshwater, static; Concentration: 33600 mg/L for 48 hr (95% confidence interval: 30477-37043 mg/L); Effect: intoxication, immobilization /formulation/
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

13Disposal considerations

• SRP: The most favorable course of action is to use an alternative chemical product with less inherent propensity for occupational harm/injury/toxicity or environmental contamination. Recycle any unused portion of the material for its approved use or return it to the manufacturer or supplier. Ultimate disposal of the chemical must consider: the material's impact on air quality; potential migration in soil or water; effects on animal and plant life; and conformance with environmental and public health regulations.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
• The following wastewater treatment technology has been investigated for pentaerythritol: Concentration process: Biological treatment.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

14Transport information

Not available in the public sources we compile. Check Section 14 of the supplier's SDS.

How DOT hazard classes work →

15Regulatory information

• This action promulgates standards of performance for equipment leaks of Volatile Organic Compounds (VOC) in the Synthetic Organic Chemical Manufacturing Industry (SOCMI). The intended effect of these standards is to require all newly constructed, modified, and reconstructed SOCMI process units to use the best demonstrated system of continuous emission reduction for equipment leaks of VOC, considering costs, non air quality health and environmental impact and energy requirements. Pentaerythritol is produced, as an intermediate or a final product, by process units covered under this subpart.
  Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)

Overview of SDS regulations (OSHA HazCom, WHMIS, REACH/CLP) →

16Other information

Compiled from PubChem CID 8285 and the sources it aggregates (attributed inline). Data retrieved 2026-10-12. This summary describes the pure substance and is not a supplier SDS.