Pentaerythritol Tetraoleate

‌I. Basic Information‌

• ‌Chemical Name‌: Pentaerythritol Tetraoleate

• ‌Abbreviation‌: PETO

• ‌CAS No.‌: 19321-40-5

• ‌EC Number‌: 242-960-5

• ‌Molecular Formula‌: C₇₇H₁₄₀O₈ (commonly reported) or C₈₅H₁₅₆O₈ (based on full saturation)

• ‌Molecular Weight‌: ~1193.93 g/mol (C₇₇H₁₄₀O₈), ~1266.1 g/mol (C₈₅H₁₅₆O₈)

• ‌Structure Core‌: A pentaerythritol core with all four hydroxyl groups esterified by oleic acid, forming a symmetric, neutral ester with no free OH groups

• ‌Synonyms‌: Pentaerythritol tetraoleate, Pentaerythritol tetra-oleate, PETO, Pentaerythrittetraoleat

‌II. Physical & Chemical Properties‌

• ‌Appearance‌: Light yellow to amber transparent oily liquid

• ‌Solubility‌: Miscible with most mineral oils, synthetic hydrocarbons, and organic solvents; insoluble in water

• ‌Viscosity Index‌: >180 (indicating minimal viscosity change with temperature)

• ‌Pour Point‌: Typically < -40°C, due to branched structure and unsaturated double bonds in oleic acid

• ‌Thermal-Oxidative Stability‌: High, owing to the sterically hindered pentaerythritol center

• ‌Lubricity‌: Excellent — forms a strong adsorption film on metal surfaces, resulting in low friction coefficient

• ‌Biodegradability‌: Environmentally friendly, derived from renewable raw materials

• ‌Additive Compatibility‌: Good compatibility with various lubricant additives and rubber sealing materials

‌III. Production Methods‌

Pentaerythritol tetraoleate is typically synthesized via ‌transesterification‌ between pentaerythritol and methyl oleate (or ethyl oleate), using an alkali catalyst such as sodium methoxide:

• ‌Reaction Type‌: Transesterification

• ‌Catalyst‌: Sodium methoxide (common)

• ‌Conditions‌:

• Temperature: ~160°C

• Molar ratio (methyl oleate to pentaerythritol): 4.5:1

• Vacuum pressure: ~10 mbar

• Stirring speed: 900 rpm

• ‌Yield‌: Up to 36% (w/w) under optimized conditions within 2 hours

• ‌Process Note‌: The reaction is conducted under vacuum to remove by-products (e.g., methanol) and drive equilibrium toward ester formation

‌IV. Applications‌

PETO is valued for its exceptional performance in extreme conditions and is used in the following high-demand fields:

1. ‌Aerospace & Aviation‌

• Core base oil in ‌aviation turbine engine lubricants‌ (e.g., MIL-PRF-23699 standard)

• Hydraulic fluids for spacecraft

2. ‌High-Performance Lubricants‌

• ‌Synthetic engine oils‌ for racing and luxury vehicles — provides instant cold-start protection and high-temperature film strength

• ‌Compressor oils‌ (screw and reciprocating types) — excellent carbon deposit control

• ‌High-temperature chain oils‌ — used in textile, baking, and ceramic industries

3. ‌Metalworking Fluids‌

• Base stock for ‌rolling oils, drawing oils, and cutting fluids‌ — improves lubricity, reduces tool wear, and enhances surface finish

4. ‌Grease Formulation‌

• Base oil for ‌high-temperature, long-life greases‌ (e.g., lithium or polyurea thickened)

5. ‌Textile Industry‌

• Key component in ‌spinning oils‌ for polyester and nylon — provides smoothness, antistatic properties, and fiber cohesion

6. ‌Plastics & Rubber Processing‌

• Internal/external ‌lubricant for PVC and engineering plastics‌ — improves melt flow and prevents adhesion

• ‌Mold release agent‌ for rubber vulcanization and plastic injection molding

7. ‌Eco-Friendly Lubricants‌

• Used in ‌biodegradable chain saw oils, gear oils, and hydraulic fluids‌ for forestry and marine applications

8. ‌Other Uses‌

• ‌PVC plasticizer and stabilizer‌ — improves low-temperature flexibility and thermal stability

• ‌Emollient in high-end cosmetics‌ — lightweight, non-greasy skin feel

‌V. Application Cases‌

• ‌Case 1: High-Speed Metal Cutting‌
  In a CNC machining center, PETO-based cutting fluid reduced tool wear by 40% compared to mineral oil formulations, extending tool life and improving surface finish on aluminum alloys.

• ‌Case 2: Textile Spinning Line‌
  A nylon fiber manufacturer replaced conventional oil agents with PETO-containing formulations, achieving a 25% reduction in fiber breakage and improved tensile strength during high-speed drawing.

• ‌Case 3: Aviation Lubricant Development‌
  PETO was selected as the primary base stock in a new MIL-PRF-23699 qualified oil, meeting stringent requirements for thermal stability and oxidation resistance over 3,000-hour engine tests.

• ‌Case 4: Biodegradable Chain Oil‌
  A forestry equipment company adopted PETO-based chain oil for chainsaws, complying with environmental regulations in protected areas due to its high biodegradability and low toxicity.