Pentaerythritol

log Kow = -1.69

-1.69

1.39 at 77 °F (USCG, 1999) - Denser than water; will sink

1.399 at 25 °C/4 °C

Relative density (water = 1): 1.4

1.38

1.55 @25 °C

1.38

Ditetragonal crystals from dilute hydrochloric acid

White, crystalline powder

Colorless to white, crystalline powder [Note: Technical grade is 88% monopentaerythritol & 12% dipentaerythritol].

6 % at 59 °F (NIOSH, 2024)

Insoluble in ethyl ether, benzene

Soluble in ethanol, glycerol, ethylene glycol, formamide. Insoluble in acetone, benzene, paraffin, ether, carbon tetrachloride

1 gram dissolves in 18 mL water at 15 °C

Slightly soluble in alcohol; insoluble in benzene, ether, carbon tetrachloride and petroleum ether

In water, 72,300 mg/L at 25 °C

About 240 °C (open cup)

240 °C o.c.

Sublimes (NIOSH, 2024)

Sublimes

BP: 276 °C at 30 mm Hg

at 4kPa: 276 °C

Sublimes

Sublimes

502 °F (USCG, 1999)

258 °C

260 °C

500 °F (sublimes)

258 °C

500 °F (Sublimes)

This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 99.4% (995 of 1001) of all reports.

Not Classified

Aggregated GHS information provided per 1001 reports by companies from 5 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.

H412 (100%): Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard]

P273, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement)

The GHS information provided by 1 company from 1 notification to the ECHA C&L Inventory.

Chemical: 1,3-Propanediol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-

1,3-Propanediol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)- is listed on the EPA's Chemical Data Reporting (CDR) system. Manufacturers and importers of 1,3-Propanediol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)- are required to report information about their production and use of this chemical to the EPA under the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA). (40 eCFR Part 711)

Status: Active Update: 02-05-2023 https://echa.europa.eu/registration-dossier/-/registered-dossier/15344

Pentaerythritol: Does not have an individual approval but may be used under an appropriate group standard

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]

European Commission, ESIS; IUCLID Dataset, Pentaerythritol (115-77-5) (2000 CD-ROM edition) contains information on use, toxicology, and environmental effects of this chemical as supplied to the European Union by industry.[Available from, as of February 18, 2010: http://esis.jrc.ec.europa.eu/]

Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development; Screening Information Data Set for Pentaerythritol, CAS No. 115-77-5 (October 1998). This OECD Initial Assessment of HPV Chemicals is part of a series of OECD SIDS documents published by UNEP Chemicals to facilitate the access to information needed for health and environmental risk assessments of chemicals.[Available from, as of February 4, 2010: http://www.chem.unep.ch/irptc/sids/OECDSIDS/115775.pdf]

Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 8-hr Time Weighted Avg: 15 mg/cu m. /Total dust/

Permissible Exposure Limit: Table Z-1 8-hr Time Weighted Avg: 5 mg/cu m. /Respirable fraction/

Vacated 1989 OSHA PEL TWA 10 mg/cu m is still enforced in some states. /Total/

Vacated 1989 OSHA PEL TWA 5 mg/cu m is still enforced in some states. /Resp/

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.

Fire Extinguishing Agents: Water, dry chemical, carbon dioxide (USCG, 1999)

Use water, powder, carbon dioxide. In case of fire: keep drums, etc., cool by spraying with water.

Fresh air, rest.

Rinse and then wash skin with water and soap.

Rinse with plenty of water (remove contact lenses if easily possible).

Rinse mouth.

Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Pentaerythritol:

(General first aid procedures)

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.

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.

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.

The following wastewater treatment technology has been investigated for pentaerythritol: Concentration process: Biological treatment.

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.

SRP: The scientific literature for the use of contact lenses by industrial workers is inconsistent. The benefits or detrimental effects of wearing contact lenses depend not only upon the substance, but also on factors including the form of the substance, characteristics and duration of the exposure, the uses of other eye protection equipment, and the hygiene of the lenses. However, there may be individual substances whose irritating or corrosive properties are such that the wearing of contact lenses would be harmful to the eye. In those specific cases, contact lenses should not be worn. In any event, the usual eye protection equipment should be worn even when contact lenses are in place.

Contact lenses should not be worn when working with this chemical.

EC50; Species: Selenastrum capricornutum (Algae); Conditions: static; Concentration: >1000 mg/L for 72 hr; Effect: inhibition of growth rate, biomass /99.9% purity/

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/

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/

EC50; Species: Daphnia magna (Water flea); Concentration: 600 mg/L for 48 hr; Effect: immobility /from table/ /Conditions of bioassay not specified in source examined/

For more Ecotoxicity Values (Complete) data for Pentaerythritol (8 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1.5(SRC), determined from a log Kow of -1.69(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that pentaerythritol is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of pentaerythritol from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.1X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Pentaerythritol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.5X10-8 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(5). Utilizing the Japanese MITI test, 13.2% of the Theoretical BOD was reached in 25 days(6) indicating that biodegradation is not an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC). However, aerobic biodegradation test results for pentaerythritol do show varying results(7).

AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1.5(SRC), determined from a log Kow of -1.69(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that pentaerythritol is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(4) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.1X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(5). According to a classification scheme(6), a BCF range of 0.3-2.1 using carp (Cyprinus carpio)(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Utilizing the Japanese MITI test, 13.2% of the Theoretical BOD was reached in 25 days(7) indicating that biodegradation is not an important environmental fate process in water(SRC). However, aerobic biodegradation test results for pentaerythritol do show varying results(8).

ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), pentaerythritol, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 2.5X10-8 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase pentaerythritol is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 26 hrs(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.48X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Particulate-phase pentaerythritol may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Pentaerythritol does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC).

Pentaerythritol is a stable solid and the production volume was ca. 25,000 tonnes/year in 1996 and 1997 in Japan. The chemical is used as intermediate for alkyd resin, rosin ester, explosive and lubricants. No consumer use is reported... Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC) of the chemical was determined using a Daphnia magna 48 h immobility data (600 mg/L). The assessment factor of 1000 used to an acute toxicity data to determine PNEC, ... , because only one acute toxicity data is available among algae, cladocera and fishes. Thus, PNEC of the chemical is determined as 0.6 mg/l, tentatively. Thus, PEC / PNEC is 0.0072. Effects of the chemical on aquatic ecosystems are of low concern at present. Pentaerythritol was not mutagenic in bacterial and chromosomal aberration tests in vitro. The chemical is not considered as an irritant to the skin and the eyes, nor as a sensitizer. In a combined repeat dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test, both male and female rats showed only soft feces and diarrhea. The chemical did not show any toxicity to parents and offspring. The no observed effect levels were 100 mg/kg/day for repeated dose toxicity and 1000 mg/kg/day for reproductive/developmental toxicity. For human health, the risk for workers is expected to be low because the margin of safety is 83.3 as the worst case. The risks for consumer and the general population through indirect exposure are also assumed to be low because a margin of safety through drinking water or fish is calculated to be 6.98 x 10+5 or 7.38 x 10+6.

Redness.

irritation eyes, respiratory system

The Koc of pentaerythritol is estimated as 1.5(SRC), using a log Kow of -1.69(1) and a regression-derived equation(2). According to a classification scheme(3), this estimated Koc value suggests that pentaerythritol is expected to have very high mobility in soil.

/HUMAN EXPOSURE STUDIES/ Pentaerythrite given orally to volunteers (up to 6 persons) produced in a dose above 5 g an increased amount of urine, in a dose above 10 g increased glucose (blood), in a dose above 50 g a slightly increased pulse rate. Excretion was rapid, complete within 30 hr. Most of the pentaerythrite ingested was eliminated unchanged in the urine. 13-15% was metabolized. Test substance purity approx. 99%.

/SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS/ Short Term Exposure: Irritates the eyes and respiratory system.

/CASE REPORTS/ ...Three patients ... developed eczematous lesions under /a new/ type of wound covering. The patients were patch tested to the European standard series, to a glues and adhesives series, and to pieces of various adhesive dressings. The patients displayed positive patch tests to colophony and to DuoDERM E or DuoDERM CGF hydrocolloid dressings. These dressings contain the pentaerythritol ester of hydrogenated rosin as a tackifying agent, and this substance retains the sensitizing potential of colophony... /Pentaerythritol ester of hydrogenated rosin/

Pentaerythritol's production and use in alkyd resins, rosin and tall oil esters, special varnishes, pharmaceuticals, plasticizers, insecticides, synthetic lubricants, explosives, paint swelling agents(1) may result in its release to the environment through various waste streams(SRC).

AEROBIC: Pentaerythritol, present at 100 mg/L, reached 13.2% of its theoretical BOD in 25 days using an activated sludge inoculum at 30 mg/L in the Japanese MITI test(1). Aerobic biodegradation test results for pentaerythritol with other biodegradation tests do show varying results: 97% DOC, 14 days, Zahn-Wellens; 0% DOC, 28 days, AFNOR; 9% CO2, Sturm test; 43%DOC Sturm test; OECD 301B, 77% removal; OECD 301 E modified screening test, 30 days, 13-97% DOC; OECD 302, 30 days, activated sludge, 98% degradation(2).

AEROBIC: There is conflicting reports about the aerobic biodegradability of pentaerythritol in the literature. While some authors observed little or no biodegradation of pentaerythritol by their test methods(3-6), other investigators noted that the compound will readily biodegrade under certain test conditions(1-2). Most of the discrepancies in the results are due to the different conditions used in the test methods, such as difference in inocula, acclimation of inocula, period of incubation and the test methods used to measure biodegradation(1-2).

AEROBIC: When a modified Sturm test was used to determine the biodegradability, pentaerythritol showed 53-59% biodegradation on the basis of evolved carbon dioxide but biodegradation was 96-97% based on DOC removal(3) under otherwise similar conditions. The difference between the two test methods is that while the COD method did account for the carbon loss due to assimilation by the bacteria as biomass, the carbon dioxide evolution method did not(3). The lag or delay time for the biodegradation of pentaerythritol has been reported to be 3 to 15 days(1). Besides acclimation of the bacteria, an optimum concn of viable cells may be required for the biodegradation of pentaerythritol and this number is on the order of 10,000 viable cells/L(2).

AEROBIC: Pentaerythritol, present at 34.3 mg/L, was 97% degraded in 40 days following a 21-day lag period using a seawater inoculum from the Sea of Kattegat sampled north of Hundested, Denmark (21% salinity, collected May 21, 1985) and the shake flask screening test, incubated at 15 °C(1).

ANAEROBIC: Pentaerythritol is amenable to anaerobic biodegradation(1).

Values for BCF of 0.3-0.6 and 0.2-2.1 were calculated in fish for pentaerythritol(SRC), using carp (Cyprinus carpio) which were exposed 10 and 1 ppm pentaerythritol, respectively, over an 6-week period(1). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC).

The Henry's Law constant for pentaerythritol is estimated as 4.1X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC) using a fragment constant estimation method(1). This Henry's Law constant indicates that pentaerythritol is expected to be essentially nonvolatile from water and moist soil surfaces(2). Pentaerythritol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.5X10-8 mm Hg(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(3).

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.

A - Alimentary tract and metabolism

QA - Alimentary tract and metabolism

10 mg/kg (14)C-pentaerythrite, administered orally to 12 mice (females), was absorbed and excreted rapidly. Half of the administered dose left the gastrointestinal tract within 15 min and 68% of the dose appeared in the urine and feces after 4 hr. The compound detected was pentaerythrite.

In ... experiments with (14)carbon pentaerythritol, 69% of (14)carbon was excreted, probably as unchanged compound, in 24 hr urine and 23% in feces /after oral administration to dogs/. Blood levels were greatest after 1 hr.

Kinetics of urinary excretion of pentaerythritol were first order and apparently dose-independent ...

Feeding studies in human volunteers revealed that about 85% of pentaerythritol fed was eliminated unchanged in urine. Elimination was essentially complete in 30 hr.

Used to manufacture the explosive, pentaerythritol-tetranitrate (PETN); [ACGIH]

In synthetic resins, in paint and varnish industries

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)

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Pentaerythritol. Pentaerythritol is used in alkyd resins, radiation cure monomers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) stabilizers, polyurethanes, rosin esters, synthetic lubricants, pigment treatment, antioxidants, and explosives.

(1972) Negligible

(1975) Negligible

(1984) 5.48 X 10+8 g

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Pentaerythritol. US Exports: 1988: 15 million pounds.

For more U.S. Exports (Complete) data for Pentaerythritol (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

(1972) 6.36 X 10+8 g

(1975) 1.7 X 10+9 g

(1984) 7.20 X 10+9 g /Dipentaerythritol and Pentaerythritol/

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Pentaerythritol. US Imports: 1988: 15 million pounds.

For more U.S. Imports (Complete) data for Pentaerythritol (10 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

2023: 70,000,000 - <85,000,000 lb

(1972) 5.0 X 10+10 g

(1975) 4.57 X 10+10 g

(1984) 4.80 X 10+10 g

(1991) 158 million lb

For more U.S. Production (Complete) data for Pentaerythritol (16 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

70% as a chemical intermediate for alkyd resins; 13% as a chemical intermediate for rosin and tall oil esters; 7% as a chemical intermediate for synthetic lubricants; 3.5% as a chemical intermediate for pentaerythritol tetranitrate; 6.5% in miscellaneous applications (1974)

Pentaerythritol finds its main use in surface-coating compositions, especially in the manufacture of alkyd resins (1978).

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Pentaerythritol: US End-use Pattern for Pentaerythritol in 1986

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Pentaerythritol: US End-use Pattern for Pentaerythritol in 1989

For more Consumption Patterns (Complete) data for Pentaerythritol (21 total), please visit the HSDB record page.

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Pentaerythritol. Commercial production is from formaldehyde and acetaldehyde.

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Pentaerythritol. The synthesis of pentaerythritol involves reacting four moles of formaldehyde and one mole of acetaldehyde in two differentiated steps. The first is an aldol condensation to give pentaerythritose. Then, the aldehyde obtained is subjected to a crossed Cannizzaro reaction, whereby one molecule of the pentaerythritose is reduced to pentaerythritol, which is then separated. The raw pentaerythritol is dissolved again and subjected to high temperature acid hydrolysis, then purified in an activated carbon bed, concentrated and crystallized.

Reaction of acetaldehyde with an excess of formaldehyde in an alkaline medium.[Lewis RJ Sr; Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary 15th ed Wiley (2007)

Grades: Technical, nitration, CP. Technical grade is 88% monopentaerythritol and 12% dipentaerythritol.

Essentially three grades of pentaerythritol are manufactured: (1) "Mono" pentaerythritol containing a minimum of 97.0-98.0% pentaerythritol and small amounts of dipentaerythritol and the linear form of pentaerythritol; (2) technical-grade pentaerythritol containing 81-91% pentaerythritol, 8-18% dipentaerythritol, and small amounts of tripentaerythritol and linear form of pentaerythritol; and (3) nitration-grade pentaerythritol which is a highly purified grade and has a minimum assay of 98-99% pentaerythritol.

CHEMICAL PROFILE: Pentaerythritol. Production usually includes three grades of pentaerythritol; mono (97-98%, with di- and tri-pentaerythritol impurities), technical (88%, with 8-10% dipentaerythritol, balance tri-) and nitration (98-99%, with di- and tripentaerythritol impurities).

Mining (except Oil and Gas) and support activities

1,3-Propanediol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-: ACTIVE

Alkyl mercury compounds have been used as seed disinfectants and for fungicides. They have also been used in organic synthesis. /Mercury alkyl compounds/