People in the chemical field often joke about substances nobody outside the lab can pronounce, and dipentaerythritol fits that bill. Still, its story stretches back to the twentieth century, part of the wave of discoveries when chemists began digging into polyols for the explosive and plasticizer industries. After pentaerythritol proved useful in explosives and resins, researchers kept tweaking the formula. Dipentaerythritol, with its two linked pentaerythritol units, showed up as a byproduct during pentaerythritol’s preparation, quickly proving its own value. Production scaled up because factory lines realized they could isolate this compound from reaction mixtures, turning waste into a commodity. With ongoing wars, changing industry needs, and the bait of ever smarter plastics, demand kept rising.
In practice, dipentaerythritol represents a straightforward-looking white crystalline powder that arrives in drums or bags, labeled for careful industrial use. Unlike some niche chemicals, this one lands in plenty of factories because it carries six primary alcohol groups. Think of it as a versatile starting block: from alkyd resin manufacturers to lubricant producers, shops rely on this chemical for specialty products. Its fairly high melting point and unique structure open doors in making synthetic lubricants, stabilizers, adhesives, and fire retardants.
The molecule weighs in at 254.24 grams per mole, forming odorless solid crystals that dissolve well in water. The melting point typically falls in the 220–225°C range, which suits demanding industrial environments. Technicians notice its stability when heated and appreciate how each molecule’s six hydroxyl groups can react with acids or form esters. Solubility trends favor water and some alcohols, but not most organic solvents, which matters when designing heater systems or cleaning setups in manufacturing.
Any drum rolling out of a chemical plant comes stamped with grade, purity, moisture level, and origin. Purity sits above 98% for most technical uses, and the moisture content sits low—often below 0.5%—because any extra water can ruin reactions or promote clumping. Labels also warn of health risks, carrying hazard pictograms in line with GHS standards. Companies in Europe, the US, and Asia pay close attention to this paperwork, both to satisfy regulators and to keep supply chains secure.
Most of today’s production relies on the condensation of formaldehyde with acetaldehyde or their derivatives under basic conditions. Factories run these batch or continuous processes at moderate temperatures, tweaking pressure and pH to nudge reactions toward higher dipentaerythritol yields. Experienced operators catch byproducts like mono- and pentaerythritols and recycle or separate accordingly. Efficient setups recycle waste and minimize emissions, addressing environmental standards popping up worldwide as concerns about industrial discharge grow.
The six alcohol groups on dipentaerythritol allow chemists to try all kinds of reactions. Esterification with organic acids produces additives for lubricants that help machines run longer. Reaction with isocyanates or anhydrides creates crosslinked polymers for powder coatings, which protect steel beams and household appliances. Modifications through etherification or phosphorylation push performance even further, producing flame retardants that’re essential for wiring insulation. Some labs experiment with this chemical as a backbone for dendrimers—highly branched molecules used in drug delivery or fancy new materials.
On shipping labels or in catalogs, the same substance turns up as 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol dimer, DPE, or sometimes simply as dipenta. Old plant documents use names like Hexahydroxymethylolethane, though most suppliers prefer the shorter abbreviations to avoid tongue-twisters on labels. No matter the name, experienced handlers recognize it by its telltale powder and lot numbers that guarantee traceability.
Safety procedures around dipentaerythritol stress goggles and gloves since dust can irritate the eyes and respiratory tract. Facilities training workers focus on dust control, explosion-proof equipment, and constant housekeeping, as even inert-seeming powders can trigger fires under the right (or wrong) conditions. Chemical safety documents highlight proper ventilation, spill containment, and emergency showers. Longer term, health studies highlight minimal chronic toxicity but recommend prudent handling. Manufacturers must store this chemical in cool, dry spaces to avoid clumping or contamination. Waste handling works best using local hazardous waste channels, with tight regulatory oversight common in North America, Europe, and Japan.
End markets rely on dipentaerythritol for fire-resistant coatings, especially for cables, paneling, and automotive parts needing higher temperature endurance. Synthetic lubricant makers depend on its backbone to hold lubricity and viscosity under punishing loads and heat cycles. Paints, inks, and adhesives producers add it for stronger bonds and improved durability, keeping coatings fresh even after years of tough conditions. PVC stabilizer makers count on it to limit breakdown in pipes and toys, while electronics workers employ it indirectly in flame-retarded circuit boards. More specialized uses include surfactants, medical polymers, and construction sealants—all needing a molecule that can forge multiple strong bonds in a hurry.
Today’s labs look for ways to wring better performance from dipentaerythritol by tweaking its structure or pairing it with greener reactants. Researchers work on bio-based substitutes for the petrochemical formaldehyde traditionally required in production. They also explore molecular scaffolds for advanced coatings and dendrimer-like ingredients that target medical delivery systems or next-gen lubricants. Competition between Chinese, European, and US players means steady improvement in purity, process efficiency, and environmental footprint as suppliers jockey for lead markets and contracts.
While dipentaerythritol ranks as a low-toxicity chemical, it’s not risk-free. Skin and eye contact can cause irritation, pushing factories to invest in proper ventilation and dust suppression. Animal studies mark it low on acute toxicity scales, yet environmental release over time sparks some concern, especially for aquatic life. Chronic exposure data stays limited, so industry practices favor preventive controls and strict record-keeping to catch issues early. Regulators track its use in food packaging and medical supplies, but at present no major bans line up in the biggest markets.
Expectations build for chemicals like this as climate and sustainability rules tighten. Dipentaerythritol’s structure makes it a solid base for fire-resistant, recyclable, and biodegradable plastics. Companies looking for robust green lubricants keep pushing research on how it can help electric vehicles and wind turbines run longer. The drive toward lighter, more durable building materials and the push away from halogens in flame retardants open further markets ahead. On the supply side, scaling up bio-based synthesis could cut environmental footprints and push this sturdy molecule into the spotlight—not just as a raw material, but a symbol for smarter industrial chemistry.
Walk through an industrial paint shop or any place that runs up against machines and heavy-duty coatings, and you’ll probably be closer to dipentaerythritol than you think. It’s a white, powdery chemical made by reacting pentaerythritol with formaldehyde and other substances. Most folks—myself included, before writing about manufacturing—never catch a glimpse of it directly, but products carrying this compound turn up all over homes, city streets, and inside cars.
If you’ve ever wondered why certain surfaces withstand weather, chemicals, or hot summer afternoons better than others, dipentaerythritol deserves some credit. Manufacturers love its structure: six available hydroxyl groups help it react with acids, creating resins or esters that build sturdy paints and varnishes. Imagine a metal fence that doesn’t chip or rust even after rain and sun. Or the glossy topcoat on a table that never stains from spilled coffee. Those coatings didn’t get strong by accident. Dipentaerythritol lets manufacturers build denser, cross-linked networks inside their resins, and these networks fend off moisture and other physical stress.
Urban planners and contractors often specify alkyd paints or powder coatings in construction jobs. These coatings draw strength from the kind of molecules dipentaerythritol helps create. Without it, hardware exposed to outdoor elements would need touch-ups more frequently, driving up maintenance costs for everyone involved.
Beyond paints and varnishes, factories lean on dipentaerythritol when formulating synthetic lubricants. Oil in a car engine or in a gear system needs to survive long hours at high temperatures. Ester-based lubricants built from this compound last longer before breaking down or running thin. So, regular maintenance gets easier, parts wear out slower, and engines avoid early retirement.
Dipentaerythritol also appears in adhesives, especially in construction or packaging, where bonds need to hold up against time. Manufacturers take advantage of the way it assembles with other chemicals to make glue that doesn’t turn brittle or peel away. When you see strong, weather-resistant wood glue or construction adhesives labeled for heavy-duty conditions, chances are you’re looking at the results of this versatile compound.
The push for greener, safer chemicals keeps getting stronger. Though dipentaerythritol offers plenty in terms of stability and strength, it traces back to formaldehyde—a substance drawing scrutiny over health effects. Regulations keep tightening, and researchers look into ways of cutting formaldehyde content or finding renewable feedstocks for its production. For workers, safety comes from protective gear and ventilation, but ultimately, the industry benefits from sharing development of safer processes.
If more research dollars went into bio‑based production routes, we’d probably see plant-based alternatives soon. Encouraging collaboration between chemical makers, engineers, and scientists can help replace the most concerning ingredients without losing performance. Until then, the key is to keep balancing technical needs with the health of both workers and end users.
Much of my time in workshops and manufacturing plants taught me this: it pays to know what’s in the chemicals you trust every day. Updating safety guidelines, investing in better research for cleaners and replacements, and training workers thoroughly creates a safer environment. As companies across the world compete to offer products that last longer and demand less maintenance, transparency and innovation around chemicals like dipentaerythritol set the foundation for a more responsible industry.
Dipentaerythritol tends to come up in the world of specialty chemicals and industrial applications, but the details behind its makeup deserve some attention beyond just listing numbers on a sheet. The chemical formula for dipentaerythritol is C10H22O7. That means each molecule is built from ten carbon atoms, twenty-two hydrogens, and seven oxygens. Folks who spend late nights in the lab, or long afternoons in supply chain management, know mistakes in these numbers lead to ruined batches or safety concerns. The molecular weight separates winning chemistry from costly errors. For dipentaerythritol, this number comes in at 254.28 grams per mole. Knowing both values matters much more than academics might let on.
C10H22O7 doesn't just show up in reactions on paper. These atoms line up in a structure that looks nothing like the handful of simple sugars most folks recognize. Dipentaerythritol's chemical backbone offers more than one branching point. Anyone handling it for resins, surface coatings, or plasticizers counts on exact stoichiometry. If that formula slipped just a single oxygen, the result could throw off a whole resin batch, or worse, create unpredictable results in high-temperature industrial processes. I’ve worked with folks who’ve seen costly downtime because someone relied on a back-of-the-envelope guess for a formula.
Take the molecular weight—254.28 g/mol. Some folks shrug, seeing just a number. But that value sets the stage for mixing ratios in resin formulations, or efficiency in plastic production. A little off here means extra costs in raw materials or extra waste from off-spec batches. Formulators weighing out hundreds of kilos can’t afford mushy math. I’ve seen production lines plagued by “minor” calculation slip-ups that cost thousands in wasted product, all because someone overlooked the true weight behind the formula.
For manufacturing, accuracy controls more than just paperwork. If companies ship off-spec dipentaerythritol, regulatory fines stack up or customers walk away. For those of us handling safety protocols, getting the weights and formulas correct shapes how chemicals get labeled, stored, and shipped. I've seen what happens when a mislabeled drum causes a logistical nightmare on the docks or in the warehouse. And it always tracks back to someone missing the correct formula or weight. The domino effect from an error rolls on through compliance costs, trouble with customs, and sometimes, even environmental headaches.
Checking and double-checking chemical data stops issues before they get ugly. It's smart practice to cross-reference data sheets, ask your supplier for updated certificates of analysis, and even run your own quick calculations if something seems off. I've learned that investing a few extra minutes looking over the formula and weight pays off way more than rushing and dealing with aftermath later. Keeping standards up and fostering communication between the lab, the purchasing team, and the production floor always saves more than it costs. It's this grounded approach that sets reliable chemical businesses apart.
Dipentaerythritol gets its name tossed around a lot in fields like coatings, resins, and explosives. Anyone who works with chemical products knows the anxiety that comes with not completely understanding what you're dealing with, especially chemicals carrying names longer than your grocery list. The truth is, people get nervous about any ingredient that sounds scientific. So let's cut through some of that mystery.
On paper, dipentaerythritol doesn’t sound threatening. It shows up as a white powder or crystals, it’s not famous for wild reactions, and it doesn’t jump out of containers if left alone. But anyone who's worked with it knows the dust hangs in the air if you’re careless, and that alone is enough reason to treat it with some respect. OSHA points out that the dust is an irritant – sniff it or let it sit on your skin all day and you’ll know what that means. Eyes sting, throats itch, and even a mild headache creeps in if it floats around too long. My own time spent in a plant with dodgy ventilation left me coughing more afternoons than I’d like to admit.
Gloves, masks, and goggles aren’t overkill; they’re just common sense. Too many folks trust that something “doesn’t react with water” so it must be harmless. Take cleanup for example – forget to sweep properly, and dust builds up on shelves and boots, making it easy to rub your eyes after a shift. The difference between a smooth day and one full of complaints usually boils down to a few minutes of prep and a decent respirator.
Most people keep dipentaerythritol at work, not at home. Either way, it wants a dry, cool room, sitting in a sealed drum or bag, well away from sunlight. Moisture gets inside, and you’ll end up with a clumpy mess, which just adds headaches to your process. In the first site I worked, the storerooms got humid in summer, and no one liked opening a container full of sticky powder. Later, someone put a dehumidifier in; clumps almost vanished overnight.
Another lesson came from seeing cross-contamination in a poorly organized storeroom. Stuff like acids, strong oxidizers, or unknown drums on the same bench can turn into a bigger risk. A clear, labeled spot is best – one chemical per shelf, or even better, a separate cabinet for the stuff often in use. The only real way to avoid a mess is to stop guessing where you left something last.
It can be tempting to cut corners, especially when deadlines lurk and the workload piles up. Even so, spending on decent ventilation, regular checks on packaging, and proper labeling is far cheaper than a day lost to medical complaints or wasted product. Spills sometimes happen, but without proper gear or cleanup material, one small slip grows into a bigger expense or an argument with supervisors.
Simple documentation routines make a difference. Keeping a sheet on each storage container, marking the dates, and checking that nothing sits longer than needed helped me avoid big surprises. And if anything ever felt off – odd smell, powder color changing, packaging torn – the best solution was getting someone with more experience to take a look, rather than hoping it would go away. Safety in chemical storage isn’t complicated, but it relies on everyone actually doing what they say they’ll do.
I’ve watched the plastics and paint industries shift with changing tastes and technical hurdles. Dipentaerythritol pops up as a staple in synthetic resins, especially alkyd and polyester resins. These resins give us glossy finishes on our kitchen tables, smooth layers on electronics, and tough varnishes protecting everything from guitars to construction tools. The reason for using dipentaerythritol comes down to performance. It helps make resins that stay strong against heat, water, and daily wear. Look at many outdoor paints and coatings—these products handle sun, rain, and rough handling in part because of the stable backbone that this compound creates.
If you’ve ever greased a squeaky hinge or watched a mechanic reach for a tub of thick, honey-colored grease, you’ve brushed up against this world. Industrial lubricants often use dipentaerythritol esters as a base. These products run in compressors, turbines, and even some car engines where temperatures soar. Regular greases might break down under stress, but esters built from this compound stay intact. It means bearings spin smoother, maintenance stretches further, and expensive equipment lives longer. This isn’t abstract chemistry—it’s about delivering reliability for factories and transport firms that rely on round-the-clock operations.
Foam sounds simple until you think about its place everywhere—from shoes to mattresses to insulation panels in homes and fridges. When making rigid foams, dipentaerythritol gets mixed into the recipe for its ability to create intensely cross-linked structures. The end result? Foams that don’t sag, resist moisture, and don’t crumble easily over time. Insulation panels using these materials block heat much better than others—making a difference in energy bills or the feel of your winter coat. For companies sizing up supply chains and product quality, a stable, non-toxic ingredient like this makes a real, measurable difference.
Nobody wants to talk about fire safety until disaster strikes. Many flame-retardant products count on compounds built from dipentaerythritol. This includes both additives and reactives used in furniture, building materials, and electronics casing. These ingredients grab hold of free radicals, slow down the spread of flames, and cut off smoke production. Regulations and safety codes keep growing stricter; using chemistry that holds up in real-world situations means fewer tragedies and safer public spaces. Sometimes, a boring white powder in the right polymer can mean all the difference for a family or an office block.
Every repair I’ve done around the house—patching up shoes, fixing leaks, gluing cracked furniture—has shown how glue that won’t fail is worth gold. Commercial adhesives, especially those battling serious heat or outdoor exposure, trust dipentaerythritol to increase strength and cut out brittleness. In the world of construction or automotive assembly, that extra durability isn’t just nice to have; it can head off costly repairs or injuries.
No one industry can ignore its impact anymore. While this compound brings clear technical gains, makers and buyers now look at sourcing and life-cycle impacts. Luckily, some suppliers have been investing in greener synthesis and recycling pathways, trying to cut down on waste or petroleum use. Change always takes effort, but seeing real shifts in feedstock sourcing and greener chemistry gives a reason to believe smarter choices can pay off both in performance and for the world outside the lab.
Dipentaerythritol looks unassuming—a white, crystalline powder piled up in a bag or barrel. Behind that ordinary appearance sits a unique chemical with a big role in products like fire-resistant plastics, synthetic lubricants, and coatings. Shipping and storing this stuff isn't like sending out bags of flour. I’ve handled enough specialty chemicals to appreciate the care needed, especially with moisture-sensitive materials.
Companies usually pour dipentaerythritol into multi-layer paper sacks, often lined with plastic. These bags block out moisture and keep any leaks contained. Pulling open one of these sacks in a plant tells you straight away that they've put real thought into keeping the powder clean and dry, protecting not just the chemical itself but also the people working with it.
Some operations work on a larger scale. Instead of sacks, they use sturdy fiber drums or plastic barrels with tight-fitting lids, sometimes even metal drums. These containers survive bumps on the road and don’t burst open if someone drops them. In damp climates or where rats and bugs pose a risk, sealed barrels make even more sense. The last thing anyone needs is a sack torn open in transit or a load spoiled by humidity.
Any time a chemical gets shipped long distances, risk ramps up. Tears, spills, moisture—all threaten the whole batch. The UN places dipentaerythritol in the “not dangerous for transport” category, but companies still play it safe. Truckloads head out under tarps or inside trailers to stay out of the rain. Forklifts move pallets of drums, and trained workers check container locks one more time before departure. I once saw a warehouse team halt a whole shipment because a few bags looked warped from a leaky roof; replacing a few bags costs far less than cleaning up after a powder leak.
In sea freight, exporters wrap pallets in stretch film. Extra wrapping, to someone who hasn’t shipped chemical powders, might seem wasteful. Experience says otherwise. Ocean freight means weeks on the water, with all sorts of temperature swings. Salt air creeps into everything, so an extra plastic wrap layer can make all the difference. Receiving a damaged package on the other side of the globe halts whole production lines and costs more than a bit of extra care at the start.
Labels don’t just list the chemical. They spell out moisture sensitivity and required conditions—sometimes in more than one language.
Pulled from my own work in logistics, poor packaging puts people and profits at risk. Nobody wants a fine, white powder leaking onto a loading dock or spreading through a warehouse. Managers spend good money training staff to spot problems early, but mistakes still happen. Improving things often means springing for higher-quality bags, better seals, or teaching warehouse teams what to look for. A program that encourages staff to report damaged sacks before a spill saves headaches down the line.
Shippers press for supply-chain digitization, asking for barcodes and lot tracking. Barcodes on every drum let buyers scan and track batches from the manufacturer right to the end use. This brings faster recall if a bad batch sneaks out. Small investment, big payoff in safety.
Dipentaerythritol may not explode, corrode, or poison, but treating it seriously in packaging and shipping makes all the difference. It boils down to respect for workers, buyers, and the products people depend on every day. I’ve seen enough preventable messes—from ruined cargo to delayed projects—to say: a little more attention in packaging and transport pays off far beyond what it costs up front.
| Names | |
| Preferred IUPAC name | 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diyl bis[bis(hydroxymethyl)methanol] |
| Other names |
Di-PE Di-Penta Dipentaerythrite 2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol Pentaerythrite dimer 2,2,4,4,6,8,8-Heptamethylnonane-1,3,5,7-tetrol |
| Pronunciation | /daɪˌpɛn.təˌɛr.ɪˈθraɪ.tɪl/ |
| Identifiers | |
| CAS Number | 126-58-9 |
| Beilstein Reference | 3588205 |
| ChEBI | CHEBI:53059 |
| ChEMBL | CHEMBL1376371 |
| ChemSpider | 65126 |
| DrugBank | DB14683 |
| ECHA InfoCard | ECHA InfoCard: 100.007.335 |
| EC Number | 205-708-2 |
| Gmelin Reference | 106137 |
| KEGG | C11202 |
| MeSH | D006713 |
| PubChem CID | 9570 |
| RTECS number | OQ3850000 |
| UNII | Q11J56R41D |
| UN number | UN1327 |
| CompTox Dashboard (EPA) | DTXSID7020185 |
| Properties | |
| Chemical formula | C10H22O7 |
| Molar mass | 254.24 g/mol |
| Appearance | White crystalline solid |
| Odor | Odorless |
| Density | 1.39 g/cm³ |
| Solubility in water | slightly soluble |
| log P | -1.46 |
| Vapor pressure | Negligible |
| Acidity (pKa) | 8.57 |
| Basicity (pKb) | 8.12 |
| Refractive index (nD) | 1.462 |
| Viscosity | 95 mm²/s at 100 °C |
| Dipole moment | 0.0 D |
| Thermochemistry | |
| Std molar entropy (S⦵298) | 547.8 J·mol⁻¹·K⁻¹ |
| Std enthalpy of formation (ΔfH⦵298) | -2257.8 kJ/mol |
| Std enthalpy of combustion (ΔcH⦵298) | –7883 kJ/mol |
| Pharmacology | |
| ATC code | V06DC01 |
| Hazards | |
| GHS labelling | No GHS label. |
| Pictograms | GHS07,GHS08 |
| Signal word | No signal word |
| NFPA 704 (fire diamond) | 1-1-0 |
| Flash point | > 277°C |
| Autoignition temperature | 356°C |
| Explosive limits | Not explosive |
| Lethal dose or concentration | LD50 Oral Rat > 10,000 mg/kg |
| LD50 (median dose) | > 5000 mg/kg (Rat, oral) |
| NIOSH | TTQ37100 |
| PEL (Permissible) | 15 mg/m³ |
| REL (Recommended) | 3 mg/m³ |
| Related compounds | |
| Related compounds |
Pentaerythritol Tripentaerythritol Trimethylolpropane Neopentyl glycol |
