Pentaerythritol is produced by suspending paraformaldehyde in an aqueous solution of acetaldehyde and vigorously stirring while adding potassium hydroxide. This process involves the condensation of formaldehyde with acetaldehyde. The resulting product is purified through vacuum sublimation or recrystallization from dilute hydrochloric acid to obtain pentaerythritol.

Pentaerythritol is a colorless, non-crystalline solid that is highly soluble in water. It is commonly used in the production of alkyd resins, plasticizers, and synthetic lubricants.