(also penthrite), C(CH₂ONO₂)₄, a substance occurring as white crystals that is insoluble in water and that has a melting point of 141°–142° C and a density of 1.74 g/cm³. Pentaerythritol tetranitrate is obtained by the nitration of pentaerythritol using concentrated nitric acid or a mixture of nitric and sulfuric acids. The compound is a powerful explosive and is highly detonable and sensitive to mechanical action. Its detonation wave travels at a speed of 8,300 m/sec at a density of 1.6 g/cm³. The heat of explosion is 5,803 kilojoules/kg (1,385 kilocalories/kg), and the compound ignites at 200° C.

Pentaerythritol tetranitrate is used in making detonating fuses; it also serves as a secondary explosive in detonators. It can be mixed with trinitrotoluene to form substances known as pento-lites. In medicine, it is used in vasodilative preparations.