Milton B. Frankel

Azido derivatives of pentaerythritol

TETRAMINO-TETRAMETHYL-METHANE, C(CH2NH2)4, was first prepared (in the form of its salts) by Govaert1 by heating tetrabromo-pentaerythritol, C(CH2Br)4, with alcoholic ammonia in sealed tubes. This preparation has recently been repeated by van Alphen2, who has isolated the free base and prepared various derivatives. The method of preparation is unsatisfactory, however, as the quantities of the tetrabromp-compound employed are limited by the use of sealed tubes, and the yield is low.