Mesitylene

In organic chemistry, mesitylene or 1,3,5-trimethylbenzene (C₉H₁₂) is an aromatic hydrocarbon with three methyl substituents attached to the benzene ring. It is prepared from distillation of acetone with sulfuric acid or by the trimerization of propyne in sulfuric acid, which in both cases acts as a homogenous catalyst and dehydrating agent. It is commonly used as a solvent in research and industry. Mesitylene is flammable and an irritant.

In the electronics industry, mesitylene has also been used as a developer for photopatternable silicones due to its solvent properties.