Process for the production of pentaerythritol phosphate alcohol

1. Field of the Invention A process for the production of pentaerythritol phosphate alcohol (PEPA) comprising reacting in the liquid phase phosphorus oxychloride (POCl) with pentaerythritol (PE) at a reaction temperature of at least about 100° C. in the presence of a solvent which is an alkane substituted with at least one halogen atom and having an atmospheric boiling point of about 40 to about 150° C., e.g., 1,2-dichloroethane (ethylene dichloride). The reaction pressure is sufficiently high to maintain the solvent in the liquid phase.