7112. Pentaerythritol Tetranitrate

Nomenclature

CAS number: 78-11-5
2,2-Bis[(nitrooxy)methyl]-1,3-propanediol dinitrate (ester); pentaerythrityl tetranitrate; 2,2-bisdihydroxymethyl-1,3-propanediol tetranitrate; PETN; nitropentaerythritol; penthrit; niperyt; Lentrat; Hasethrol; Peritrate (Warner-Chilcott); Mycardol (Winthrop); Nitropenton; Pentral 80; Dilcoran-80 (G"odecke); Terpate (Geneva); Pentrite; Perityl; Pentanitrine; Prevangor; Subicard; Pentryate; Vasodiatol (Rowell); Neo-Corovas; Pentafin; Quintrate; Pergitral; Pentitrate; Metranil; Cardiacap (Consolidated Chem.); Angitet (Purdue Frederick); Nitropenta.
C5H8N4O12; mol wt 316.14.
C 19.00%, H 2.55%, N 17.72%, O 60.73%.

Description and references

Prepn: Acken, Vyverberg, US 2370437 (1945 to Du Pont). GC/MS analysis in post-explosion residues: T. Tamiri et al. in Adv. Anal. Detect. Explosives, J. Yinon, Ed. (Kluwer, Netherlands, 1993) pp 323-334.

Chemical structure

Properties

Tetragonal holohedra from acetone + alcohol, mp 140°. d420 1.773. Soluble in acetone. Practically insoluble in water (1.5 γ/ml). Sparingly sol in alcohol, ether. Does not reduce Fehling's soln (difference from erythrityl tetranitrate). Explodes on percussion. More sensitive to shock than TNT. For medicinal purposes it is dil with an inert ingredient, usually lactose, to prevent accidental explosions.

Use

Mainly in the manuf of detonating fuse (Primacord), a waterproof textile filled with powdered PETN.

Therapeutic Category

Vasodilator (coronary).

Keywords

Antianginal; Vasodilator (Coronary)