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InventoryRef 5753415/10/2010

PENTAERYTHRITOL

2,2-bis(Hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol tetramethylolmethane

PENTAERYTHRITOL is listed in the EU CosIng inventory, but no direct annex records are linked on this page yet.

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Regulatory evidence by market

No rule for this ingredient has been imported for any of the 13 markets tracked here.

That describes this inventory, not the law. No imported rule is not evidence that an ingredient is permitted: a rule may exist under another name or identifier, or in a dataset not yet imported here.

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Chemical identity and properties

PubChem 2D chemical structure for CAS 115-77-5
CAS 115-77-5PubChem CID 8285

Pentaerythritol

Pentaerythritol is a tetrol that is neopentane in which one of the methyl hydrogens of all four methyl groups are replaced by hydroxy groups. It is a chemical intermediate used in the production of explosives, plastics, paints, appliances, and cosmetics. It has a role as a laxative and a flame retardant. It is a primary alcohol and a tetrol. It derives from a hydride of a neopentane. — ChEBI

IUPAC name
2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)propane-1,3-diol
Molecular formula
C5H12O4
Molecular weight
136.15 g/mol
Exact mass
136.07355886 Da
XLogP3
-2.4
Topological polar surface area
80.9 Ų
Hydrogen-bond donors
4
Hydrogen-bond acceptors
4
Covalent units
1
Defined stereocentres
0

Also known as

PentekTetramethylolmethaneAuxinutrilMaxinutrilMonopentekPentaerythritePenetekMetab-Auxil
16 more reported names
MonopentaerythritolHercules P6Tetrakis(hydroxymethyl)methane2,2-Bis(hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediolMethane tetramethylolpentaerithritylTetrahydroxymethylmethane1,3-Propanediol, 2,2-bis(hydroxymethyl)-AuxitransTHMEPE 200SU420W1S6NNSC-8100CHEBI:134760TetrahydroxymethylolmethaneRefChem:171351
Open full PubChem recordPubChem annotations3D structure image
External database identifiers

Evidence from additional scientific databases

NIH PubChem PUG-View
Exact identifier match8285

Attributed physical-property, hazard, environmental and use annotations.

  • First Aid: Excerpt from NIOSH Pocket Guide for Pentaerythritol:; Eye: IRRIGATE IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.; Skin: WATER WASH - If this chemical contacts the skin, wash the contaminated skin with water.; Breathing: FRESH AIR - If a person breathes large amounts of this chemical, move the exposed person to fresh air at once. Other measures are usually unnecessary.; Swallow: MEDICAL ATTENTION IMMEDIATELY - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. (NIOSH, 2024) Source: CAMEO Chemicals
  • First Aid: (General first aid procedures); Eye: Irrigate immediately - If this chemical contacts the eyes, immediately wash (irrigate) the eyes with large amounts of water, occasionally lifting the lower and upper lids. Get medical attention immediately.; Skin: Water wash - If this chemical contacts the skin, wash the contaminated skin with water.; Breathing: Fresh air; Swallow: Medical attention immediately - If this chemical has been swallowed, get medical attention immediately. Source: The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)
  • Note: This chemical does not meet GHS hazard criteria for 99.4% (995 of 1001) of all reports. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: Not Classified; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria by 995 of 1001 companies (only 0.6% companies provided GHS information). For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: Aggregated GHS information provided per 1001 reports by companies from 5 notifications to the ECHA C&L Inventory.; Reported as not meeting GHS hazard criteria per 995 of 1001 reports by companies.; There are 2 notifications provided by 6 of 1001 reports by companies with hazard statement code(s).; Information may vary between notifications depending on impurities, additives, and other factors. The percentage value in parenthesis indicates the notified classification ratio from companies that provide hazard codes. Only hazard codes with percentage values above 10% are shown. For more detailed information, please visit ECHA C&L website. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • GHS Hazard Statements: H412 (100%): Harmful to aquatic life with long lasting effects [Hazardous to the aquatic environment, long-term hazard] Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Precautionary Statement Codes: P273, and P501 (click each P-code to see the statement) Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • ECHA C&L Notifications Summary: The GHS information provided by 1 company from 1 notification to the ECHA C&L Inventory. Source: European Chemicals Agency (ECHA)
  • Toxicity Summary: Pentaerythritol is a stable solid and the production volume was ca. 25,000 tonnes/year in 1996 and 1997 in Japan. The chemical is used as intermediate for alkyd resin, rosin ester, explosive and lubricants. No consumer use is reported... Predicted No Effect Concentration (PNEC) of the chemical was determined using a Daphnia magna 48 h immobility data (600 mg/L). The assessment factor of 1000 used to an acute toxicity data to determine PNEC, ... , because only one acute toxicity data is available among algae, cladocera and fishes. Thus, PNEC of the chemical is determined as 0.6 mg/l, tentatively. Thus, PEC / PNEC is 0.0072. Effects of the chemical on aquatic ecosystems are of low concern at present. Pentaerythritol was not mutagenic in bacterial and chromosomal aberration tests in vitro. The chemical is not considered as an irritant to the skin and the eyes, nor as a sensitizer. In a combined repeat dose and reproductive/developmental toxicity screening test, both male and female rats showed only soft feces and diarrhea. The chemical did not show any toxicity to parents and offspring. The no observed effect levels were 100 mg/kg/day for repeated dose toxicity and 1000 mg/kg/day for Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Bioconcentration: Values for BCF of 0.3-0.6 and 0.2-2.1 were calculated in fish for pentaerythritol(SRC), using carp (Cyprinus carpio) which were exposed 10 and 1 ppm pentaerythritol, respectively, over an 6-week period(1). According to a classification scheme(3), this BCF suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: TERRESTRIAL FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1.5(SRC), determined from a log Kow of -1.69(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that pentaerythritol is expected to have very high mobility in soil(SRC). Volatilization of pentaerythritol from moist soil surfaces is not expected to be an important fate process(SRC) given an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.1X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), using a fragment constant estimation method(4). Pentaerythritol is not expected to volatilize from dry soil surfaces(SRC) based upon an estimated vapor pressure of 2.5X10-8 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(5). Utilizing the Japanese MITI test, 13.2% of the Theoretical BOD was reached in 25 days(6) indicating that biodegradation is not an important environmental fate process in soil(SRC). However, aerobic biodegradation test results for pentaerythritol do show varying results(7). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: AQUATIC FATE: Based on a classification scheme(1), an estimated Koc value of 1.5(SRC), determined from a log Kow of -1.69(2) and a regression-derived equation(3), indicates that pentaerythritol is not expected to adsorb to suspended solids and sediment(SRC). Volatilization from water surfaces is not expected(4) based upon an estimated Henry's Law constant of 4.1X10-10 atm-cu m/mole(SRC), developed using a fragment constant estimation method(5). According to a classification scheme(6), a BCF range of 0.3-2.1 using carp (Cyprinus carpio)(7), suggests the potential for bioconcentration in aquatic organisms is low(SRC). Utilizing the Japanese MITI test, 13.2% of the Theoretical BOD was reached in 25 days(7) indicating that biodegradation is not an important environmental fate process in water(SRC). However, aerobic biodegradation test results for pentaerythritol do show varying results(8). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Environmental Fate: ATMOSPHERIC FATE: According to a model of gas/particle partitioning of semivolatile organic compounds in the atmosphere(1), pentaerythritol, which has an estimated vapor pressure of 2.5X10-8 mm Hg at 25 °C(SRC), determined from a fragment constant method(2), will exist in both the vapor and particulate phases in the ambient atmosphere. Vapor-phase pentaerythritol is degraded in the atmosphere by reaction with photochemically-produced hydroxyl radicals(SRC); the half-life for this reaction in air is estimated to be 26 hrs(SRC), calculated from its rate constant of 1.48X10-11 cu cm/molecule-sec at 25 °C(3). Particulate-phase pentaerythritol may be removed from the air by wet or dry deposition(SRC). Pentaerythritol does not contain chromophores that absorb at wavelengths >290 nm(4) and therefore is not expected to be susceptible to direct photolysis by sunlight(SRC). Source: Hazardous Substances Data Bank (HSDB)
  • Industry Uses: Not Known or Reasonably Ascertainable; Filler; Flame retardant; Surface modifier; Adhesion/cohesion promoter; Intermediate; Heat stabilizer; Other; Lubricating agent; Dispersing agent; Polymerization promoter; Energy Releasers (explosives, motive propellant); Processing aids not otherwise specified; Monomers Source: EPA Chemical Data Reporting (CDR)

Mapped by: Existing checksum-valid CAS to unique PubChem CID match. Retrieved: 2026-08-31. Open source record

Scientific classifications and hazard annotations provide context and do not replace the market-specific regulatory decision shown above.

Additional source coverage and match status
SourceResultChecked
NIH PubChem PUG-ViewExact match2026-08-31

A recorded no-match is useful evidence that the source was checked; it is not a claim that the substance does not exist elsewhere.

Retrieved from NIH PubChem on 2026-08-31 by checksum-valid CAS matching. Chemical properties do not replace the regulatory decision on this page.

Inventory details for PENTAERYTHRITOL

INCI name

PENTAERYTHRITOL

Description

2,2-bis(Hydroxymethyl)-1,3-propanediol tetramethylolmethane

Record provenance

Inventory reference
57534
Imported identity
PENTAERYTHRITOL
Source update
15/10/2010
European Commission CosIng source notes
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Key data

CAS
115-77-5
EC
204-104-9
Restriction
—
Function
HUMECTANT
Retaining and/or preserving the moisture in a product during use.
SKIN CONDITIONING
Maintaining the skin in good condition.

Official EU ingredient-name evidence

The ingredient name exactly matches the official 2025 EU glossary of common ingredient names.

#20292 · PENTAERYTHRITOL

Ingredients with overlapping formulation functions

PELARGONIUM SIDOIDES CALLUSANTIOXIDANT, HAIR CONDITIONING, HUMECTANT, SKIN PROTECTING
PELTOPHORUM DASYRHACHIS BARK EXTRACTHUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING
PELTOPHORUM DASYRHACHIS BARK POWDERHUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING
PELVETIA SILIQUOSA EXTRACTANTIOXIDANT, HUMECTANT, SKIN PROTECTING
PENTAISOSTEAROYL 3-GLYCERYL ASCORBATEANTIOXIDANT, HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING
PENTAPEPTIDE-2HUMECTANT
PENTAPEPTIDE-61ANTIMICROBIAL, HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN PROTECTING
PENTAPEPTIDE-62ANTIMICROBIAL, HUMECTANT, SKIN CONDITIONING, SKIN PROTECTING

Additional official and scientific sources

11 external databases to check this identity in

Each link searches that source for this identity. What each source is, and its legal weight

ECHA CHEM / Information on chemicalsPubChem PUG RESTEU Safety Gate cosmetic product alertsECHA CHEMUS EPA CompToxCosmetic Ingredient Review safety assessmentsFDA Global Substance Registration SystemILO/WHO International Chemical Safety CardsJapan NITE-CHRIPNIOSH Pocket Guide to Chemical HazardsOECD eChemPortal

How PENTAERYTHRITOL appears in the CosIng inventory

The CosIng inventory lists PENTAERYTHRITOL as a cosmetic ingredient and this page links it to 0 annex records. The inventory entry captures names and identifiers, while the annex records show where the substance is prohibited, restricted or positively listed in EU cosmetics law.

PENTAERYTHRITOL is also tagged with 2 cosmetic functions in the official data. Function labels describe intended use, but they do not replace regulatory review of linked annex records before formulation or labelling work.

Frequently asked questions

PENTAERYTHRITOL is listed in the EU CosIng ingredient inventory with no direct annex restriction records linked at this time. Absence of an annex link does not guarantee unrestricted use — always verify against the current official CosIng database before formulating.

According to the EU CosIng inventory, PENTAERYTHRITOL carries the following function designation(s):

CAS 115-77-5 may appear across multiple EU annex records. Viewing the CAS lookup page shows all Annex II–VI entries sharing this identifier, which is useful for identifying cross-annex regulatory status of the same chemical substance.
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Source note for PENTAERYTHRITOL

This page reproduces the CosIng inventory entry for PENTAERYTHRITOL from public European Commission cosmetic ingredient materials and shows linked identifiers even when no direct annex match is currently attached.

Use this inventory page to research PENTAERYTHRITOL and compare linked records, but verify restrictions and legal status against the current official source text and law before making regulatory decisions.

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