Editing Pentaerythritol tetranitrate (section)

==Production==

Production is by the reaction of [[pentaerythritol]] with concentrated [[nitric acid]] to form a precipitate which can be recrystallized from acetone to give processable crystals.<ref name = Ullmann>{{Ullmann | doi = 10.1002/14356007.a10_143.pub2 | title = Explosives | author = Boileau, Jacques | author2 = Fauquignon, Claude | author3 = Hueber, Bernard | author4 = Meyer, Hans H. | name-list-style=amp }}</ref>

Variations of a method first published in US Patent 2,370,437 by Acken and Vyverberg (1945 to Du Pont) form the basis of all current commercial production.{{cn|date=September 2024}}

PETN is manufactured by numerous manufacturers as a powder, or together with [[nitrocellulose]] and [[plasticizer]] as thin plasticized sheets (e.g. [[Primasheet]] 1000 or [[Detasheet]]). PETN residues are easily detectable in hair of people handling it.<ref>Winslow, Ron. (December 29, 2009) [https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB126195987401406861 A Primer in PETN – WSJ.com]. ''The Wall Street Journal''. Retrieved 2010-02-08.</ref> The highest residue retention is on black hair; some residues remain even after washing.<ref>{{cite journal | last1 = Oxley | first1 = Jimmie C. | last2 = Smith | first2 = James L. | last3 = Kirschenbaum | first3 = Louis J. | last4 = Shinde | first4 = Kajal. P. | last5 = Marimganti | first5 = Suvarna | title = Accumulation of Explosives in Hair | journal = Journal of Forensic Sciences | volume = 50 | issue = 4 | year = 2005 | pages = 826–31 | doi = 10.1520/JFS2004545| pmid = 16078483 }}</ref><ref name="latimes.com">{{cite news| url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2010-nov-24-la-na-petn-20101124-story.html |title= PETN: The explosive that airport security is targeting |last=Bennett |first=Brian |agency=Tribune Washington Bureau |date=November 24, 2010 |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=July 19, 2015}}</ref>