pentaerythritol Chem.
(ˌpɛntəɛˈrɪθrɪtɒl)
Formerly also penta-erythritol, penterythritol.
[ad. G. penta-erythrit (Tollens & Wigand 1892, in Ann. d. Chem. CCLXV. 316): see penta- and erythritol.]
A white, crystalline, tetrahydric alcohol, C(CH2OH)4, that is prepared by the condensation of acetaldehyde and formaldehyde and is widely used in the manufacture of paints and varnishes.
| 1892 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. LXII. i. 127 (heading) Penterythritol: a tetrahydric alcohol obtained from formaldehyde and acetaldehyde. 1912 Ibid. CI. 2091 The condensation between pentaerythritol and aldehydes in general takes place readily in the presence of sulphuric acid of from 30 to 50 per cent. concentration. 1947 Winding & Hasche Plastics iii. 78 The ester of penta-erythritol has become an important resin within the last few years. 1958 Times Rev. Industry Feb. 19/3 A large plant has been erected at Dumfries for the production of..pentaerythritol, a material for which there is an increasing demand in the field of paints. 1972 Materials & Technol. IV. x. 364 Acrolein is also used for preparing resins such as the glass-clear polymer obtained when acrolein is condensed with pentaerythritol. |
b. pentaerythritol tetranitrate, a white crystalline solid, C(CH2NO3)4, used as an explosive and also as a vasodilator in the treatment of coronary ailments.
| 1923 Jrnl. Chem. Soc. CXXIII. 75 Pentaerythritol tetranitrate. 1958 A. Grollman Pharmacol. & Therapeutics (ed. 3) xx. 456 Pentaerythritol tetranitrate, N.N.R.., although of no value for the immediate relief of anginal attacks, may by its more prolonged action reduce the number or severity of the attacks. 1972 Materials & Technol. IV. viii. 301 The most important [reaction]..is the esterification with nitric acid, which gives PETN or pentaerythritol tetranitrate, a very powerful detonating agent, exploding when shocked or exposed to heat. |