What is "mesitylene"

Mesitylene \Me*sit"y*lene\, n. (Chem.) A colorless, fragrant liquid, C6H3(CH3)3, of the benzene series of hydrocarbons, obtained by distilling acetone with sulphuric acid. -- Me*sit`y*len"ic, a.

n. (context organic compound English) The aromatic hydrocarbon ''1,3,5-trimethylbenzene'' that is present in coal tar and crude oil; it has some use as a solvent

Mesitylene or 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene is a derivative of benzene with three methyl substituents symmetrically placed on the ring. The other two isomeric trimethylbenzenes are 1,2,4-trimethylbenzene (pseudocumene) and 1,2,3-trimethylbenzene (hemimellitene). All three compounds have the formula CH(CH), which is commonly abbreviated CHMe. Mesitylene is a colourless liquid with sweet aromatic odor. It is a component of coal tar, which is its traditional source. It is a precursor to diverse fine chemicals. The mesityl group (Mes) is a substituent with the formula CHMe and is found in various other compounds.