METHOD OF PRODUCING PENTAERYTHRITOL Russian patent published in 2012 - IPC C07C31/24 C07C29/38 

FIELD: chemistry.

SUBSTANCE: invention relates to a method of producing pentaerythritol which is used in production of lacquer, plastic and explosives. The method involves condensation of formaldehyde with acetaldehyde in the presence of sodium hydroxide, crystallisation, filtration and drying the pentaerythritol. The formaldehyde source used is paraformaldehyde in form of granules, into which water is added at temperature 40±2°C and stirred for 4.5-5.5 minutes. Paraformaldehyde then undergoes preliminary dissolution in an alkaline sodium hydroxide solution, said paraformaldehyde being taken in amount of 30% of the total weight of sodium hydroxide, for 15-16.5 minutes at temperature 40-45°C. Further, acetaldehyde cooled to -10±0.1°C and a residual amount of sodium hydroxide are added under cooling conditions, and pulled out for 15 minutes while gradually raising temperature of the condensed solution to 60°C. Formic acid is added to the condensed solution until pH 6.5 is achieved.

EFFECT: high effectiveness of the process while ensuring the required quality of the product.

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