Peralkylation of pentaerythritol for gas chromatographic— mass spectrometric analysis

Summary A rapid and convenient method for the full O-alkylation of pentaerythritol was investigated. The method involves an alkyl halide in a polar aprotic solvent, in the presence of sodium hydroxide. The optimal reaction conditions were studied for methyl iodide, ethyl iodide and bromide, n-propyl bromide and n-butyl bromide. Methyl and propyl derivatives were quantitatively obtained in a short reaction time. The method was applied for the gas chromatographic—mass spectrometric analysis of a commerical pentaerythritol sample.