What is "mellitic acid"

Graphitic \Gra*phit"ic\, a. Pertaining to, containing, derived from, or resembling, graphite.

Graphitic acid (Chem.), an organic acid, so called because obtained by the oxidation of graphite; -- usually called mellitic acid.

Graphitic carbon, in iron or steel, that portion of the carbon which is present as graphite.
--Raymond.

n. (context organic compound English) A hexacarboxylic acid, ''benzene hexacarboxylic acid'', first discovered in the mineral mellite, which is its aluminium salt.

Mellitic acid, also called graphitic acid or benzenehexacarboxylic acid, is an acid first discovered in 1799 by M. H. Klaproth in the mineral mellite (honeystone), which is the aluminium salt of the acid.