Pentaerythritol
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Pentaerythritol is a polyol used in the fabrication of PETN and varnishes.

It can be prepared by condensation of ethanal and methanal in an alkaline environment. The process follows a Cannizaro reaction.

CH₃CHO + 4CH₂OH + Ca(OH)₂ + H₂O -> (HCOO)₂Ca + C(CH₂OH)₄

The original article can be found at: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentaerythritol.
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