Mesitylene or 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene is a derivative of benzene with three methyl substituents positioned symmetrically around the ring. The other two isomeric trimethylbenzenes are 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene.
What is mesitylene used for?
Mesitylene is important organic chemical raw material, the use of mesitylene can develop three toluene, trimesic acid, benzoic anhydride and other dye intermediates, it can also be used for the production of antioxidants, polyester resin curing agent, stabilizer, alkyd resins and plasticizers.
How do you get mesitylene?
Mesitylene is prepared by equilibration of xylene (or simple methyl alkylation of it) over solid acid catalyst: 2 C6H4(CH3)2 ⇌ C6H3(CH3)3 + C6H5CH.
