Pentaerythritol is an organic compound with the formula C₅H₁₂O₄. This white, crystalline polyol with the neopentane backbone is a versatile building block for the preparation of many polyfunctionalized compounds such as the explosive pentaerythritol tetranitrate and pentaerythritol tetraacrylate. Derivatives of pentaerythritol are components of alkyd resins, varnishes, polyvinyl chloride stabilizers, tall oil esters, and olefin antioxidants.