Prenderol (Diethylpropanediol) is a simple alkyl diol which has sedative, anticonvulsant and muscle relaxant effects. It is closely related in structure to meprobamate and numerous other alkyl alcohols and diols with generally comparable activity.
Treatment of the aldehyde 2-ethylbutyraldehyde with formaldehyde and potassium hydroxide gives a crossed Cannizzaro reaction yielding prenderol.